HÀ NỘI — Returning to painting only five years ago, at the age of 50, artist Quỳnh Thơm has quickly forged a distinctive artistic identity grounded in simplicity and a deep, lyrical sensibility.

After leaving a long career in graphic design, he committed himself to a quieter, more introspective path, choosing to portray the understated beauty of Vietnamese villages and rural life.

Since his debut solo exhibition in May 2024 – a showcase marked by intimacy, emotion and a distinctly Vietnamese spirit – Quỳnh Thơm has remained consistently focused on countryside landscapes and everyday rural scenes.

In his hands, rice fields, bamboo groves, lotus ponds, rooftops and mountain slopes are no longer straightforward depictions from nature; they become distilled forms of memory and feeling. Each painting captures a fragment of life where nature and humanity gently intertwine.

His visual language is defined by a bright, vibrant yet gentle palette that conveys clarity and optimism. While acrylic remains his primary medium, he also experiments with ink and sketching, adding variety and nuance to his practice.

The painter believes that love for one’s homeland, though a familiar theme in art, still resonates deeply when expressed with sincerity and simplicity. He often begins his day at 4am, when the world is quiet and clear. In this stillness, he feels his mind lighten, allowing emotions to surface naturally and his lines to flow freely.

“I paint quickly but without haste, letting each element fall into harmony. This routine helps me maintain discipline and sustain a pure, daily joy for painting,” the artist said.

Art specialists observe that Quỳnh Thơm’s work connects readily with viewers thanks to its familiar subject matter and lucid visual expression.

The late painter Hoàng Nghĩa Hiệp, former Deputy Head of the Graphics Department at the Hà Nội University of Industrial Fine Arts, praised his ability to convey emotion through energetic colour and rhythmic composition. He said that the artist’s persistent exploration of rural themes reflects a clear creative direction and a determined effort to build a personal artistic identity.

President of the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association Lương Xuân Đoàn added that Quỳnh Thơm does not follow trends or market tastes, but quietly pursues his own path – choosing to paint his homeland with sincerity and heart.

Guided by his enduring affection for the countryside, Quỳnh Thơm will present 60 new works at his upcoming exhibition Sắc Quê 11. The exhibition will run until June 8 at the Fine Art Exhibition House on 16 Ngô Quyền Street in Hà Nội.— VNS