A unique exhibition with more than 150 paintings, statues and sculptures which have traveled a long way from Saigon to Hanoi has just closed today (December 1, 2020), and has left many enjoyable echoes in the hearts of the capital’s art lovers and the public. This marks a remarkable beginning, which affirms and opens up new approaches to the art world of artist Dinh Phong.
With the theme “Flying Man and Surreal Dreams” artist Dinh Phong has set and surpassed records, both literally and figuratively. “Flying Man” was indeed flying when he lived in Saigon, but decided to return to Hanoi, where he was born and raised, to launch his first exhibition. Mr. Hung, a full-time employee of Art Space Gallery (University of Fine Arts – 42 Yet Kieu – Hanoi) told the Vietnam Charming reporter:

“I rarely see such a large exhibition of a Southern artist bringing paintings and statues to display in the North because everyone knows that artists are often afraid of traveling long distances. Usually it is a joint exhibition and one person only contributes 1 or 2 paintings. Now, artist Dinh Phong has displayed more than 150 works at Yet Kieu and unfortunately there are still many beautiful paintings and statues that have not been displayed for the audience to enjoy due to a lack of space. Packing a whole container of works and moving it over 1000 km to display them in only one exhibition is remarkable because of the artistic labor and love of painting by a young artist.”
Artist Luong Xuan Doan (left), President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, commented on the “Flying Man and Surreal Dreams” gallery showing: “With the first solo exhibition in Hanoi, Dinh Phong’s paintings and sculptures display speed and maturity, I can immediately say that he is “pre-destined”, and one who is chosen by art…”.
Art critic Pham Long also considers this to be an event taking a new look at painting. New in spirit, the way of looking then is new in the work. “It seems that with Dinh Phong’s paintings, I feel a different emotion without prejudice! He paints without being framed or frozen with layers of words and terms like other painters in the abstract genre! I like sculptures that talk a lot! A collector friend of mine asked me to ask the artist about the price of his favorite sculptures! In my opinion, that is also a clear sign …”.

As noted by Charming Vietnam, on the opening day and in the days that followed, a large number of people from art circles in the capital came to see the paintings. This was also a unique and new event according to the comments and assessments of many people in the profession and other external sources. Talking about names and acquaintances, Dinh Phong is quite modest “as a newcomer”. Then there is nothing but rumors, rumors about a world of free and strange colors of his “Flying Man and Surreal Dream”. The work is the first and the last thing an artist needs to talk about. On the opening night, there were famous artists, sculptors, art research critics such as Luong Xuan Doan, Ca Le Thang, Phan Cam Thuong, Dao Chau Hai, Le Trong Lan, Nguyen Manh Duc, Ly Truc Son, Le Thiet Cuong, Ta Quang Bao, Ngo Xuan Binh, Dao Trong Luu, Le Van Thin, Tran Luu My, Hoang Minh Hang, Hong Viet Dung, Ngo Xuan Binh, Phan Thiet, Nguyen Linh, Le Dinh Nguyen, Hoang Do Cuong, writer Nguyen Dinh Chinh, cinematographer Tran Hung, musicians Nguyen Thuy Kha, Ngo Tu Lap, Nguyen Vinh Tien, poet Nguyen Huu Hong Minh, artist Tran Nhat Thang, radio reporters and journalists from Vietnam Television, Vietnam News Agency, Thanh Nien, Cultural Sports, Dan Tri, Dan Viet, Tuoi Tre, Family Knowledge … and many other names.

Many reviews about the “Flying Man and Surreal Dreams” interview, but it is not possible to record and introduce all of them. DDVN would like to quote only a few opinions of painters, artists and professional critics. These opinions were synthesized by reporters from direct interview questions, individual conversations and speeches before a seminar on abstract painting held on the morning of November 29 at Saturday Coffee (Tran Xuan Soan – Ha Noi).
Artist Luong Xuan Doan: “With the first solo exhibition in Hanoi, showing speed and maturity through the paintings and sculptures by Dinh Phong, I can immediately say that he is “charming”, one who has been chosen by art. Although he is quite humble, he only considers himself a beginner in painting for about half a year. Art often causes surprises and changes in form, not only by direction and lines. seeing it as his own feelings, his own expression, like no other!
It could be a picture from a dream and it’s hard to draw a second time! Congratulations to Dinh Phong on an interesting exhibition from the South!…”.

Sculptor Dao Chau Hai: – “I support Dinh Phong from the perspective of an unexpected painter of “Flying Man and Surreal dreams”. Because I’ve seen so many people trained to draw who are, in the end, in just the same mold.

“Art is creative, not initiative. Dinh Phong created a world of his own outside of the usual formula. Aren’t the critics, the researchers themselves, the molds that define the definitions, the schools, and formulas for ease of study? As for the artist himself, the artist is a creator, flying is absolutely unlimited and how to limit it? The novel still needs new definitions to be legitimate. Dinh Phong’s exhibition brings a unique and new look to viewers…”.

Artist Le Thiet Cuong: – “I see a lot of good things in Dinh Phong’s paintings and sculptures, even though it may be that of a novice painter who hasn’t been through school. But regular schooling sometimes also hinders thinking. and the artist’s hands give nothing less.
The gallery “Flying Man and Surreal Dreams” is stretchy and smooth, creating a visual sensation.
There are about 3 Phong paintings that I realize have traces of influence of some abstract world names that are still very personal.
Dinh Phong is a name that evokes a new wind, but after seeing many of his creative ideas, I thought of inviting him to a project of mine. Maybe we will have a show together as your 2nd exhibition? Why not? Should we?…”.
Artist Vu Huy Thong (Exhibition Manager at the University of Fine Arts – Yet Kieu): -I would like to invite artist Dinh Phong to give some of his thoughts on abstract painting. If viewed recently, the exhibition “Flying Man and Surreal Dreams” by artist Dinh Phong attracts attention both in the art world and the public because of its fresh look, beautiful colors, and many strange signs. unique charm. Each picture is a story.

Creating novelty in art is extremely difficult! For a person who is not well-trained like Mr. Dinh Phong, it is even more difficult, but he did it! Isn’t the goal of art always to surprise, and prior talent is a secret, a surprise that no one can foresee and predict?…”
By Đông Dương