Artist Ngo Dong drew the scenes in the early morning in 2020 at Tao Dan Park, District 1. This is one among over 80 works by the artist displayed at the “Hien Thuc Da Chieu” (Multi-dimensional Reality) exhibition at the HCMC Museum of Fine Arts on May 20-30. The majority of the paintings are about life in the southern city where the artist has lived for more than 40 years.
His painting “Nang Mai Trong Pho” (Early Sunlight On The Streets) was drawn in 2020. After realizing that his life has become more beautiful and tranquil 15 years ago, he switched from his initial style of surrealism to realism.
“I threw all of my surrealist paintings away, except for those that were sold. I find myself best expressed through realism inspired by real lives,” he said.
Ngo Dong drew this painting of the Cong Xa Paris (the Paris Commune) street, where the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon is located, in 2008.
He drew this painting “Nga Tu” (The Intersection) in 2008. It often takes him a long time to complete a painting as he refines them many times before eventually achieving the desired result. If he completes a painting in a short time, he suspects himself and checks everything again. Every year, he draws about 10 paintings.
The artists drew a foreign visitor sitting on the stairs at the HCMC Museum of Fine Arts in 2017. He is often inspired by dailys moments he comes across.
The peaceful atmosphere of a cafe in 2016 is portrayed in this painting. Ngo Dong spends 10 hours a day at his work.
“Sitting at home painting makes me happier than hanging out does,” he said.
This monochrome painting was painted in 2019 and named “Ky Uc Ve Mot Quan Cafe” (The Memory of A Cade). When he started his work in the 1970s, Ngo Dong encountered many hardships, as the majority of painters at that time didn’t approve of his realist style. The trend at that moment was post-impressionism minimalist paintings with hints of Indochina and folk elements.
“However, one day I realized that the only beautiful things in the world are nature and the energetic daily lives of people out there,” he said.
“For example, [there was one time I felt inspired when I saw] a girl had her hair blown by the wind while riding her motorbike, or the sunlight reflected in the water. I want my viewers to easily feel what I want to deliver without having to think too much.”
The artist’s painting “Doi” (Waiting) displays youngsters seeking jobs on the streets of HCMC in 2011.
The beauty of workers is one of Ngo Dong's favorite topics. He has drawn on this many times, including this 2022 painting,“Co Gai Ban Hu Tiu” (The Girl Who Sells Hu Tieu).
Still life is sometimes an inspiration, which can be seen in this painting named “Di Qua Dai Dich” (Overcoming The Pandemic) and drawn in 2011.
Ha Nguyen Thu Huong, a visitor and art collector, said she enjoyed the simplicity of daily lives and the harmony of colors in Ngo Dong’s paintings, which showcase the artist’s serious attitude to his art.
Ngo Dong, 69, was born in Nam Dinh. He attended the HCMC University of Fine Arts from 1975 and 1983, under the guidance of painters Ca Le Thang and Dao Minh Tri.
His works were exhibited for the first time in 1984 at the National Exhibition of Young Artists. In 2000, his painting “Trong Long Thanh Pho” (In The City) won the silver medal at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts.
