Painter Duong Viet Nam grew up in the old quarter of Hanoi. While he paints, he often thinks of his childhood with memories that are closely associated with the old streets of Vietnam’s capital, like Hang Chinh, Ha Trung, Gia Ngu and Hang Bong Streets. At the same time, Doung Viet Nam has the exceptional ability to paint an accurate representation of modern Hanoi, the French architecture and its people. His astute ability to make a painting focusing on a busy city street with much detail and commotion, paradoxically creates a sense of calmness. Furthermore, his precise portrayal of the people wearing traditionally shaped hats and robes, gives one a true feel of Hanoi, a bustling city, being affected by its modernization.
Duong Viet Nam’s mediums include oil and acrylic on canvas and watercolor on “do” paper. His use of bright vivid colors is aesthetically pleasing, and his long brush strokes evoke the beauty of the buildings, houses and trees.
As Duong Viet Nam has stated, “sometimes I sit silently for hours to paint ancient houses. For me, Hanoi is always beautiful and sacred.”
Duong Viet Nam was born in 1954 and graduated from Hanoi Fine Arts University. He has exhibited in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, as well as throughout Vietnam.