Artist Pham Binh Chuong celebrates 25 years of pursuing realism and 20 years of painting Hanoi with the opening of the exhibition Xuong pho (Going downtown).

This is the 4th exhibition of the Xuong pho series (since 2004) and the 6th solo exhibition of the artist.

The novelty of this series of paintings is the artist's inspiration from the handwriting left by successive generations in the process of urban evolution. Paintings of street corners and houses that still retain French colonial traits are displayed alongside paintings of new urban developments as a record of moments of transition.

A visitor at the exhibition. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

In Hanoi, he discovered that nothing has completely gone away and everything is interconnected. For the artist, this is the main appeal, as it allows him to create a Hanoi with enduring layers of memories.

Small features that people might not see, such as the tangled wires on an electric pole or the wooden cigarette boxes in street tea stalls, are examples of how Hanoi has subtly evolved.

After extensive research, Pham Binh Chuong transitioned from an abstract painting style to a realistic approach, especially the reality of Hanoi.

"I want to depict the beauty of Hanoi and my love for Hanoi in a concise way, so that viewers can feel Hanoi, including its architectural beauty and the beauty of human life," the artist said.

Painter Pham Binh Chuong has been following realism in art for 25 years. Photo courtesy of the artist

The artist said that he loves the changes in Hanoi. This series of paintings goes from feelings of regret to calm acceptance, then to joy, letting go, which means no longer clinging to the old Hanoi, but looking directly at the movement of life to reflect the beauty of change.

"Hanoi in my paintings is now more real, more contemporary on its old background. The color palette in my paintings is also becoming richer as I express new materials such as aluminum, plastic, stainless steel... which are appearing more and more in the lives of Hanoians," he said.

The exhibition will run until November 7 at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi.

An artwork by Pham Binh Chuong.