It is not a surprise for an artist to hold a personal exhibition at the age of 75, but such a exhibit is really inspirational to both the public and other artists in Vietnam because of the woman behind it: Hoang Minh Hang.

She is one of the most well-known artists of silk painting in the country still working now despite old age.

A new path of creativity

On March 23, Hang held her second solo exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, which was also her fourth in her art career.

In Vietnam, Hang’s number of solo exhibitions can be modest in comparison with some of the other renowned artists.

The quality, however, cannot always be judged from the quantity. This is true for artist Hang.

Hang said she could work as a ‘full-time’ silk painter for just two more years after moving into a new apartment in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, about 120km from Ho Chi Minh City.

Living there alone, she can spend all day drawing without having to take care of her children and grandchildren as usual.

“It will be extremely difficult for me to paint silk when I am short of time," Hang told Tuoi Tre News.

"Sometimes, it would take me a few months to paint such a drawing."

That is why the artist made a lot of drawings of pastel and tempera on 'do,' a special kind of paper. Because of a dearth of time, she had no options of material other than using these materials.

After devoting many years to caring for children and grandchildren, the female artist feels happy to be able to live for herself and for the arts to the fullest.

At the age of 75, Hang returns to painting in silk, which has been her ambition for decades.

In her paintings, she does not try to convey any lofty ideas, but ‘records’ whispering sounds from nature and transform them into pieces of silk in a sincere way. 

An expert in silk painting

In her most recent exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, Hang displayed 15 big silk paintings with large dimensions of 70 centimeters to one meter in height and one to two meters in width.

To many in public, the painting’s big dimensions may not be something special. To artists, however, this fact reflects a certain skill level of the painter.

“When you draw in a big painting, it will be easier for your faults and limitations to be revealed,” explained Hang.

Many other artists agree with the female painter on this.

In many people’s opinions, an artist’s capability to brush on a big frame of material such as a large piece of silk can be considered a premier test of their level.

Many artists acknowledge they can paint comfortably small paintings but find a challenging obstacle to express themselves on a bigger-size work of art. So, they will need confidence to create an artwork in big dimensions.

It is extremely difficult for the artist to fix when they have any fault while drawing in silk material, which is also one of the most difficult characteristics of this kind of art, according to many people in the circle.

Hang has discovered a unique technique after decades of pursuing the art of painting.

Many generations of students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts have learned from the 'master of silk painting,' including some of the most famous silk drawing artists to date in Vietnam.

The technique of drawing without the need to wash silk can be called one of the biggest discoveries made by Hang.

She tried to look for an alternative after finding that a piece of silk gradually loses its natural luster after being washed with water many times as per traditional guidelines.

After many trials of various methods, she figured out the way of using a big wet brush to 'wash' in her way that helps the silk paintings maintain the natural luster while preserving their smoothness and transparency.

Although it took her many hours of work to find out the technique, Hang has always been willing to share it with anyone who wants to learn.

“Technical skills are things that anyone can learn,” she said.

“The technique can’t replace the artist’s creativity and characteristic style even if it is extremely skillful.

“To me, the artist who wants to touch people’s souls and emotions with their works must have an open mind.

"You need to be sincere and simple to be able to make artworks that touch others’ souls."

With all her achievements, Hang can be proud of her remarkable contributions to a successful generation of silk painting artists such as Nguyen Phan Chanh, To Ngoc Van, Nguyen Tien Chung, Luu Dinh Khai, Le Pho, Mai Thu, Le Thi Luu, and others.

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