The paintings are displayed in Nhung Art Space.

It's possible, if you have the passion.

Unlike in the past, when exhibitions were usually attended only by guests and mainly artists, now there are many art lovers, creating a vibrant atmosphere. They don't simply come to view the artworks; many of them also quietly select and decorate their favorite pieces with ribbons.

Occasionally attending exhibitions, Mr. Nguyen Quang (from Vy Da ward) not only admired the paintings but also collected several works from those exhibitions. His love for painting, for this man nearing 40, began quite unexpectedly, starting when he acquired an apartment. “A friend asked me if I wanted a painting gifted to my new home. At first, I was surprised, but then I nodded in agreement,” Mr. Quang recalled. That gifted painting inspired him greatly to embark on a journey of collecting more artworks.

He recounted that later, traveling to many places, he saw that hanging paintings was quite common not only in public spaces and hotels but also in private homes. He thought one needed a lot of money to participate in this hobby, but that's not the case. Alongside famous works worth billions or hundreds of millions of dong, there are also pieces costing only a few tens of millions, or even less than 10 million dong. "Besides well-known artists, there are still many young artists with beautiful works. Once you have passion and genuine love for it, the opportunity to collect works that fit your budget and that you like isn't difficult," Quang affirmed. To date, Quang has a collection of over a dozen paintings by artists in Hue .

Like Mr. Quang, many people in Hue in recent years have focused on, and even invested in, their spiritual lives by attending art exhibitions and interacting with their favorite artists directly at their studios. In the beginning, many were unfamiliar with this art form, but after diligently learning about it over time, their love for it gradually developed without them even realizing it.

"I used to think you needed a lot of money, tens of millions of dong, to buy paintings, but no, after interacting with many collectors and artists, I realized that as long as you have passion and your own perspective on painting, you can still collect paintings in your own way," shared Ms. Hoang Giang, one of the people who found enjoyment in collecting paintings in Hue.

Anyone who has stepped into the living room of Ms. Giang's house cannot help but be impressed by the paintings she has proudly displayed in the most prominent positions. Many of them are works depicting landscapes and heritage of Hue. "From a painting I received as a gift, I quietly collected more. To say they are just assets isn't enough – they are truly spiritual assets," Ms. Giang said.

From private spaces to art

Driven by her love for painting, Nhung Dang, a native of Hue, opened an art space to invite artists to exhibit. Her house in the Phu My An urban area has been named Nhung Art Space. In this very house, over the past year, she has gathered many Hue artists to organize two exhibitions.

"Your house is so beautiful, but it feels incomplete without any paintings," Nhung Dang recalls a neighbor saying during a visit. And it was that very remark, along with the encouragement to "get a few paintings" to decorate her home, that led her to her love of art.

With just a few initial paintings, the living room and every space inside the house have now become an art space. Not stopping there, she also connects with and invites artists to organize exhibitions, discuss art, and receive a strong positive response. It's like a reunion, a meeting to share passion and spread the value of art and culture within the community.

Most of the works in Nhung Dang's collection are by artists from Hue or those currently living and working in the city. "I've seen many collectors from various places come to Hue to buy paintings, but I'm here and I don't. And I'm determined to collect them because I'm afraid I won't have the opportunity later. Not only that, in the future I hope to connect and collaborate to hold exhibitions and bring the artists' paintings to a wider audience," Nhung Dang shared.

Artist Do Ky Huy (Hue City) said that the art ecosystem in Hue has been quite weak for a long time. However, recently, in addition to public museums, there has been the emergence of private museums, private art spaces, and collectors. This has created a vibrant atmosphere in the art scene. "Collectors and patrons have contributed to the recognition of Hue as a cultural heritage city, including contemporary art," Mr. Huy said.

Sharing the same view, artist Dang Mau Tuu believes that people in Hue appreciate beauty and meticulousness. While many families have a tradition and hobby of collecting paintings, the number is not large. Therefore, the recent changes in public perception of art, particularly in the collection of paintings, are a positive sign. "I hope that people in Hue will gradually become accustomed to collecting paintings and that there will be more private art spaces and venues," Mr. Tuu expressed.

Text and photos: NHAT MINH

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/thu-vui-suu-tap-tranh-159358.html