Available - Nguyen Thanh Binh

Nguyen Thanh Binh was born in 1954 and graduated from the Fine Art University in Ho Chi Minh City in 1983. Nguyen Thanh Binh’s paintings are artistically rendered with subdued hues of creams, browns and whites, punctuated occasionally with reds and blacks. He likens his preference for simplicity in composition and design to his own way of life, noting that his paintings often express his sorrow and the sorrow of many in his generation. The elegance of his nudes and women in traditional Ao Dai moves beyond the form of his subjects and captures their innate grace and beauty that is at once private and at once a collective appreciation of poetic beauty. In his figurative paintings of musicians, dancers, families, etc. there is a sense of movement and engagement with each individual expressing a story about themselves individually as well as sharing the story of who they are within the group. The background itself is also a subject; albeit pared down and minimalist. When asked about his approach, Binh cited Japanese haiku as an inspiration. Just as a haiku contains only three lines, its meaning is profound. Similarly, art can have great meaning with very minimal color and detail.