The highlight of the program was a conversation with artist Pham Binh Chuong about his more than 25 years of connection with Hanoi in his artistic creations. The street corners, rooftops, windows, light, and quiet moments of the city have become a recurring theme in his paintings.
The work "Hang Trong Street" is currently part of the collection of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum; many of his Hanoi-themed works have also been featured in exhibitions and selected for inclusion in 8th and 9th grade art textbooks.
Sharing his thoughts on the significance of painting and preserving Hanoi, artist Pham Binh Chuong believes that each painting is not simply a recorded image, but the result of time spent observing and accumulated emotions.
According to him, if one day the familiar spaces of Hanoi change or disappear, viewers can still find some memories of the city through these paintings.
“These are very special things. They frame those emotions. And those emotions aren't just a fleeting photograph; they're the result of months of work by the artist. It gradually conveys the feelings and energy within. I hope that viewers of my paintings can also partially recapture those memories,” the artist shared.
For Pham Binh Chuong, the value of paintings of old streets also lies in their ability to preserve both personal and collective memories.
He recounted the story of a viewer who coincidentally recognized in his painting the house at 25 Hang Voi Street – where his family used to live but which was later demolished for reconstruction. The family had no photographic records of the house because, while they lived there, no one thought about photographing their familiar living space.
The painting by Pham Binh Chuong thus became a special document for this family. The viewer decided to buy the artwork and take it to the United States, where the family lives, as proof of the family's presence in Hanoi.
Based on that story, the artist believes that paintings of old streets can contribute to preserving not only the urban landscape but also the spiritual values associated with each family.
"Hopefully, I can also contribute to preserving Hanoi's cultural values and the spiritual values of my family," said Pham Binh Chuong.
Another story shared by the artist revolves around his work "Dance," depicting Hang Giay Street, where he lives. The painting captures a blue wooden door along with small architectural details of a townhouse.
Many years after the work was first introduced, Pham Binh Chuong happened to meet a young man at an exhibition at 16 Ngo Quyen Street. This man said that his family had been looking for him for years to tell the story about the very door that appeared in the painting.
According to the son, his father had seen the painting in a magazine and printed it out, proudly displaying it in the living room. The physical door was later removed during house renovations, but the family retained the memory of that space. The son was tasked by his father with finding the artist so they could meet and talk.
The meeting became even more special when the father's name coincidentally matched that of the painter Nguyen Cong Thanh, who accompanied Pham Binh Chuong at the time. The two families took a commemorative photograph. From a painting of a street gate, the story unfolds with unexpected connections between the painter, the subject, and those who preserve the memories of that space.
The stories told by Pham Binh Chuong reveal that Hanoi in his paintings is not just a landscape, but also a place that holds the memories of many generations. With the same painting, each viewer can find a different Hanoi, depending on their own experiences and memories.
Another noteworthy point in the conversation was the "stillness" of Hanoi in Pham Binh Chuong's paintings. The city in real life is full of sounds, rhythms, and movement, but when depicted in paintings, it often appears tranquil. The artist observes a light, color, architectural angle, or everyday moment, then selects what to retain in the painting.
Art Talk also touched upon Pham Binh Chuong's teaching journey. He has 19 years of teaching experience at a university and approximately 20 years of involvement with Co Xinh. Besides his own creative work, the artist shared with young people his journey in finding his own voice in painting and the role of experience and observation in shaping artistic style.
Artist Pham Binh Chuong, born in 1973, graduated from the Vietnam Fine Arts University and is affectionately known to the public as "the tireless storyteller of the streets." He has held numerous solo exhibitions about Hanoi, including "Going Down the Street 1," "Going Down the Street 2," "Going Down the Street 3," "Going Down the Street 4," "Stories on the Sidewalk," and "Golden Palace."
His paintings are included in collections in many countries around the world . Pham Binh Chuong's series of paintings about Hanoi won the Bui Xuan Phai Award - For the Love of Hanoi in 2025 .
Through this conversation, Art Talk "Hanoi in Pham Binh Chuong's Paintings" not only introduces a creative journey but also explores how painting can preserve the appearances, spaces, and memories of a constantly changing city.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/nghe-thuat/ha-noi-trong-tranh-pham-binh-chuong-luu-giu-nhung-ky-uc-pho-phuong-271204.html
