'The Dream That Bears My Name' by Pham Hai Nguyen

No one in his family is an artist, but 13-year-old boy Pham Hai Nguyen from Lang Son is still passionate about brushes and colors.

Colorful painting space of Pham Hai Nguyen at the exhibition "Dream named after me" - Photo: H.VY

Having studied painting for just over three years, Pham Hai Nguyen has made his mark with his first exhibition Multidimensional Perspectives in 2024 in Hanoi , and has just won the 2025 Cricket Aspiration Award.

Flying from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City with his mother the day before the opening of his second solo exhibition, Nguyen entered the Dream Gallery with both excitement and anticipation.

Excited, because Nguyen's paintings will be introduced to many new audiences. And looking forward, because exhibiting in Ho Chi Minh City is one of Pham Hai Nguyen's big dreams.

Standing in the middle of the colorful gallery, Nguyen silently watched for a long time as if he was confiding in his close friends who had come to Ho Chi Minh City before him to wait for him.

Child artist Pham Hai Nguyen at the exhibition Dream with his name at 22 Gallery, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: H.VY

"The painting in the corner of the room I painted a long time ago, but when I put it in the exhibition space, it suddenly felt strange. The one in the middle of the room is my favorite, also the most recent painting, the first time I painted a picture with black and white as the main color..." - Nguyen slowly said.

Before that, he used to draw with very bright colors and human figures. Since the summer of 7th grade, Nguyen has tried his hand at drawing with a more abstract style.

The boy is in puberty, sensitive and reserved, but when talking about paintings, he gradually opens up and frankly expresses his own opinions, not shy at all.

Pham Hai Nguyen looks at his favorite painting at 22 Gallery, Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: H.VY

Born in 2012 in Lang Son , Pham Hai Nguyen is 13 years old, about to turn 14, currently an 8th grade student at Hoang Van Thu Secondary School, Lang Son. His parents are ordinary civil servants, only Nguyen in the family is particularly fond of drawing.

In the fourth grade, Nguyen's artistic talent was discovered by artist Hoang Van Diem, who was also an art teacher at the school. In the summer of 2022, he went to the teacher's studio and officially became acquainted with canvas and acrylic paint, learning more about color and composition.

"Drawing at the studio with friends who share the same passion, we draw and chat at the same time, so it's very fun. I can draw continuously for hours" - Nguyen laughed. I also like summer the most because I have a day off from school, and I can draw freely every day.

"After my first exhibition Multidimensional Perspectives in Hanoi, some people commented that I should draw more stories, the paintings would be more emotional. But I feel that when I draw in that direction, my paintings are similar to others, so I still draw in my own way" - Nguyen confided.

Bad Luck, Nguyen Hai Nguyen's current favorite painting.

Before the opening of the Dream with His Name in Ho Chi Minh City, 15 out of 35 paintings by Nguyen were selected by collectors, giving the young artist more motivation to continue pursuing abstract painting and creative freedom.

After the exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen asked what he dreams of next. The boy smiled and said he wants to pass the entrance exam to a specialized school in the province, and is still hesitating between English and math. As for drawing, Nguyen wants to keep it as a passion so that he doesn't have to put any pressure on himself.

The Dream with My Name is Pham Hai Nguyen's second solo exhibition, co-organized by Artonis and 22 Gallery, dedicated to Nguyen after he won the 2025 Cricket Aspiration Award.

The exhibition is running until August 25 at 22 Gallery (22 Pham Cu Luong, Tan Son Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), displaying 35 selected acrylic paintings by Nguyen from 2022 to present.

"In the last days of summer, The Dream with My Name is like a small gift that Artonis and 22 Gallery want to give to Pham Hai Nguyen and special audiences who are still in high school. Looking at Nguyen's paintings, maybe they will find inspiration for themselves" - Ms. Uyen Tran, manager of 22 Gallery shared.

Some pictures at the exhibition Dream with my name:

Exhibition on display from now until August 25 at 22 Gallery

A unique point is the way Nguyen combines images and English writing in his paintings. The words are like keys that open up a dialogue for viewers to talk with the author and connect through their own experiences.

Two paintings Mona Lisa and Labor

Two paintings Smart and Abstract 4

From left to right: Toxic, Messenger of Peace , Queen

Two paintings Peach Blossom and Warrior

HUYNH VY

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giac-mo-mang-ten-minh-cua-pham-hai-nguyen-20250820094836045.htm