Artist Dinh Phong is a very unique and new name in the Vietnamese art world. It is a person who has also created a “stir” for many reasons: In the painting realm which has been used and stepped on, there is no longer a path that can hardly be called new. Art researcher Pham Long from Hanoi has just sent an article to the duyendangvietnam.net.vn to try to explain this rather special case.
In the final days of November 2020, the public and the Hanoi fine arts community created a ‘stir’ when Dinh Phong’s “Flying Man & Surreal Dreams” exhibition appeared at the Art Space at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts – currently, one of the capital’s most prestigious centers for fine arts development.
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People were ‘stirred’ for many reasons.
- Firstly, Dinh Phong is a very unique and new name in the Vietnamese art world.
- Second, there were a relatively large number of paintings and statues on display and were attractive – at least for Hanoi’s visitors. It was evidence that during the week of the exhibition, there were quite a lot of people each day. Who came to the Art Space, at 42 Yet Kieu Street, to enjoy, learn about the works and/or meet the artist; to exchange stories of life and composition.
- Third, many veteran painters and sculptors from Ha Thanh were quite surprised by the care and shaping qualities shown by most of the works at this exhibition.
Art issue: Decoding the ‘Dinh Phong phenomenon’
A tea party or a cup of coffee with Ha Thanh artists. The story of the “Dinh Phong phenomenon” still continues to tingle until the first weeks and months of 2021; an interesting echo of “the emergence of new potential influence in contemporary Vietnamese art.”
Dinh Phong is indeed an “equal hand”, a true amateur because he has never studied art at any professional school, and has never participated in any art exhibition ever. Born and raised in Hanoi, starting a career in Saigon, he only really started painting and sculpting statues in the last 10 months. Although he loved art from a young age, he then began to enjoy reading and studying more about schools and authors from the mid-1990s.
Therefore, in terms of phenomenon, it was the “unique” and “new” character of Dinh Phong’s exhibition, that was held at a contemporary art space in the capital, at the end of 2020. It was undisputed and obvious that there was public and art world appeal. However, what other qualities and potential must Dinh Phong’s paintings and statues have in order to attract experts’ attention? That’s the question that this article will try to decipher.
Non-objectivity and organic structure are perhaps the two leading characteristics that make Dinh Phong’s paintings and statues have a unique and attractive charm.
Characteristics of sculptures by Artist Dinh Phong
Kept in neatly sculpted blocks or as large abstract paintings. Organic forms – that are reminiscent of bone masses or cavities of hollow trees – having a free-form, irregular breezes, with mass patches (solid/hollow, dark/light, thick/ thin, hot/cold … ) always with unusual movements. Accompanied by disproportionate – even absurd proportions, giving his works a dynamic and energetic character; an unpredictable self-attribute; makes them more mysterious. Which evokes much interest for the viewer.
Interestingly, he did not describe what his eyes saw from the world. He realized the images he encountered in his own dreams and because of that, the more strange and mysterious these were.
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Another feature that also contributes to increase the attractiveness of Dinh Phong’s works is purity and consistency. As he said at the exhibition, his paintings are “just a surface interpretation or a deconstruction of three dimensional sculptures.” Clearly, Dinh Phong’s sense of organicity reflects his aesthetics and response to abstract objects/figures that share the same property: elements/parts with rhythmic transitions. Naturally delicate, and harmonious. Organic qualities are consistently present in all of Dinh Phong’s paintings and statues, and thus, like the preeminent philosopher and art teacher Graham Collier makes his works. “As if according to natural law, having a lively private life and as if qualified becoming a work of art”.
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Impressive works of Artist Dinh Phong
And one also cannot ignore the expressive ability of “Dinh Phong’s tactics”. In my opinion, it must be a naturally gifted person to be able to manipulate such expressive/solid shapes – represented in both ceramic and bronze.
Of course, since the symbolism of the blocks is already inexplicable, the “glazed layers that flow naturally and unpredictably while drawing and burning” make his ceramic statues even more unusual, unique. and interesting.
His bronze statues also have a very graceful ‘surface texture’ (patina) thanks to the unexpected bold/light, shiny/ruffled maneuvers of “an amateur”, thus lessening the dryness and calculations of professional sculptors.
In particular, “Dinh Phong’s tactics” are most impressive in the paintings: the larger the picture, the more deeply-embedded his way of painting-bearing-imprints; the clearer the degree of his Bohemian life. lines, color areas, and fullness of pressure. While rushing or at peace, the free movement of Dinh Phong’s pen accentuates the feeling of movement, and thus, adds to the audience’s enjoyment.
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What is the secret to the initial success of the “Dinh Phong phenomenon”?
What is the secret to the initial success of the “Dinh Phong phenomenon”? In my opinion, first of all, because he creates with “inner impulse”, or like Kandinsky said, he wanted to realize his dreams only because of “inner necessity”, not because of any other reason.
Therefore, his works exude an expression that is relaxed, liberal and sincere. In addition, is it possible that by practising Vinh Xuan for many years, he has reached the point of being able to apply inner force and spirituality in the process of making visual art; to turn abstract things into something sensible – is still impersonal?!
Last, but no less important: he chose the right time and place to “fire”. By the end of 2020, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the global art world in general, and Vietnam in particular, was too tired and exhausted by social disruptions or events of destruction – everyone yearned for a revival and/or witnessing new activities.
And at Art Space in Hanoi, the exhibition space located on the campus of the old Indochina Fine Arts School, the birthplace of modern Vietnamese art – is a very “favorable” location.
Further, the capital’s art world is also famous for being sophisticated and somewhat conservative, so it is a great challenge to move right at the forefront of art. Besides, it also requires both confidence and bravery, not to mention the need to carefully prepare statues and the method for “battle”! After all, the “master” Dinh Phong went to the stage with an impressive “breakthrough” and had positive feedback.
Many people came to see the exhibition which the brothers of the art world called the “Dinh Phong phenomenon”. In the right corner of the photo, art researcher Pham Long and painting critic Phan Cam Thuong are viewing the paintings attentively.
The art school road is long and has many pitfalls. We don’t know if he plans to turn into another “professional”, or just wants to roam the field of art.
Either way, congratulations to the PEOPLE-of-the-Vietnamese-art-community, and it is hoped that he will hold back his impulses, and continue to be critical when choosing moments when to “blow”. Let the “Dinh Phong phenomenon” not only be “the most strange wind”, but a long wind blowing in the country’s artistic atmosphere. I hope so !!!
Ô Đồng Lầm, Jan 2021.
Art researcher Pham Long
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DINH PHONG ART GALLERY
Workshop: Cay Xanh Hamlet, Chau Thanh Dist., Tien Giang Province, Vietnam
Studio: 145/12 Nguyen Dinh Chinh St, Ward 11, Phu Nhuan Dist., HCMC
Email: phongdinh.artist@gmail.com
Web: www.dinhphongart.com