But the path to contemporary painting is also diverse and varied, with no two being alike, especially when the artist wants to imprint their creative personality on the work. The question of what to paint is often no longer the most important thing; instead, it's about how to paint, that is, the method of expression, the effort to explore and define one's style, if one is truly a talented artist.
For Truong Dinh Dung, he cherishes the concept of painting what he feels, not what he sees. More accurately, it's about feeling after seeing and reflecting, then creating emotions through colors and lines, telling a story or simply sharing a few thoughts through the language of painting in his own unique way.
 |
| Artist Truong Dinh Dung is diligently creating - Photo: XD |
As he once confided, there were many times when he felt that painting was a way of repaying a debt—a debt to his homeland, a debt to life, a debt to humanity—a debt of gratitude that is difficult to fully express.
The artist confided: “I have always harbored a deep love for my homeland, for the years of resistance that have passed, from before I was born until today, living in peace. Every rice field, bamboo grove, buffalo, well… is so dear to me, and I want to recreate them through my paintings.”
The lotus motif has become an iconic symbol in his paintings, also representing his hometown of Quang Tri , although each time it appears, the lotus seems different through the artist's perspective and, especially, his feelings. Similarly, the Vinh Moc tunnels, a truly impressive historical testament to the people of Vinh Linh, his hometown, have inspired him to create art as a way of repaying his debt to his ancestral roots.
His work "The Earth's Survival" won the Quang Tri Provincial Literature and Arts Award in the "Studying and Following the Ideology, Morality, and Style of Ho Chi Minh " competition about 10 years ago. It is a heartfelt work of an artist deeply connected to his homeland, as well as the patriotic and revolutionary traditions of the resistance war.
 |
| The painting "Coming Home" by artist Truong Dinh Dung - Photo: XD |
Artists are dynamic, eager to work, and adaptable individuals, so they don't confine themselves to any specific style or material. Instead, they often improvise, adapting to the subject matter and their emotions to find the most suitable way to express themselves.
Therefore, his paintings are multifaceted, vibrant, and imbued with the breath of life itself. Even when he depicts the Vinh Moc tunnels as a harsh test during wartime, on the brink of life and death, the innocent smile of a child remains the dominant image, permeating the spirit of the painting—a fresh, optimistic perspective that creates the essence of a work that seems simple in its lines but novel in its composition and artistic thought.
In many of artist Truong Dinh Dung's paintings, there's a sense of "humor" hidden within the work, a hint of the artist's smile, as if wanting to converse with the viewer. Perhaps this is the unique charm of Truong Dinh Dung's paintings that makes them so popular and sought after.
His paintings are sought after by many collectors, and he is an artist who can make a living from his profession and his work, something not easy in today's times, even for many artists in big cities.
 |
| The painting "Survival in the Underground" by artist Truong Dinh Dung - Photo: XD |
Artist The Ha was the first teacher who guided artist Truong Dinh Dung into the professional art world. In his home, he still recalls his feelings from about 20 years ago. And later, he continued to regularly follow Truong Dinh Dung's artistic career to provide insightful observations and valuable feedback.
Artist The Ha shared : "Artist Truong Dinh Dung has known how to omit unnecessary lines, allowing the painting to reach a level of minimalist art, possessing a unique meaning unlike anyone else's, embodying a truly modern spirit, and gradually shaping his style."
Besides teaching at Quang Tri College of Education, artist Truong Dinh Dung also volunteers to teach drawing to students in many schools near and far. He always wants to bring joy to children with his love of painting and his love for people, especially young children.
The children are usually happy and excited whenever Mr. Dung comes to class, because for their age, the most important thing is that each day at school should be a joyful, exciting, and enriching experience, so that the school truly becomes their second home. It is known that over the years, artist Truong Dinh Dung has also quietly sold his paintings to support victims of traffic accidents and participated in charitable work at the Pediatric Department of Quang Tri Provincial General Hospital.
Artist Truong Dinh Dung continues to diligently pursue his own creative path, as he always believes: "I paint to always feel alive, to always see that life is still meaningful and very lovely." We wish him continued success in his artistic journey as a native of Quang Tri who always cherishes his homeland.
Pham Xuan Dung
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202604/ve-nhu-la-hit-tho-b646181/
Comment (0)