Ngo Huong Sen

Every few days, Pham An Hai posts pictures of his new artworks on his fanpage. Scrolling through them, I invariably feel the desire to stand in front of his paintings and witness this artist’s creations in real life. Art evokes emotions that are experienced through the senses. Each person has their own unique way of appreciating art.

Red storm - 2019

Overlooking Hanoi’s Red River, Pham An Hai’s home and studio brim with colors. He has a fierce instinct for color. Whether he is painting with yellow, blue, or even pure white, the shimmer, sparkle, and vibrancy he conveys on the canvas sings a joyful song that easily resonates with human emotions. Having achieved fame early on and hit most of the milestones that painters dream of, Pham An Hai still spends most of his time painting. For an artist, the process of artistic labor is exhilarating. They take pleasure in creating, not only in the end goal – the completed work. For Pham An Hai, painting is a way of life, a personal need he nurtures daily.

Like many colleagues, he went through a process of self-discovery, experimenting with different genres, but soon realized that his path was suited to his personal emotions. He chose abstract art almost right from the start, 30 years ago!

Instant success arrived, and his name was recognized by both professionals and collectors domestically and internationally, making him one of the most notable painters of the Renovation era in the international market. This success also served to motivate him to fully dedicate himself to his passion. It’s no coincidence that Pham An Hai was included in two exhibitions organized a few years ago by the Department of Fine Arts, Photography, and Exhibitions. These exhibitions honored the leading contemporary artists in the art market, essentially those who have sold the most paintings in Vietnam. Titled “Open Door – Fine Arts 30 Years of the Reform Period”, this exhibition acknowledged the contributions of individuals who made distinctive and unmistakable marks and explored new creative thought processes. This is a rare feat for an abstract artist, given that this genre is inherently seen as difficult to view and understand.

Serenade - 2016

Breaking the conventions and rules of the abstract art form, Pham An Hai has discovered an “alternate reality” rooted in his own inner world and intellect, embarking on a journey to the ultimate destination: “the abstraction of emotion”. Pham An Hai’s abstraction transcends extreme arrogance, becoming accessible, relatable, and easily absorbed even by the most uninitiated audiences. On minimalistic monochrome canvas, the artist wields his brush with decisive, vigorous strokes, skillfully varying the intensity to create astonishingly luminous areas. Paintings by Pham An Hai may appear in expensive collections and in major museums, but they can also easily blend into the living room of a cozy family home because each viewer can find their own reflections and associations. This aligns with Pham An Hai’s goal: to bring abstract art into everyday life, making it more approachable to a broader audience. As he often says, “Abstract paintings allow viewers to immerse themselves, to live within that imaginary space, and each shift in the state reveals a new discovery, making the viewer’s task pleasant and straightforward, while the artist must toil arduously to perhaps evoke a feeling or convey a message, rather than merely creating a dirty rag stained with paint!”

For over 30 years, Pham An Hai has put immense energy into pursuing abstract art. With the enthusiasm of a Hanoian man, the willpower and resilience of a martial artist, and the talent bestowed by the heavens, Pham An Hai has managed to stand out and reap constant success. The living space of Pham An Hai’s family always attracts people. Everything from the bright paintings on the walls to the sounds emanating from the speakers makes people want to stay longer. All of these achievements are worthy of the long, steadfast, and consistent journey of an artist who is both strict and gentle with himself.

Painter Pham An Hai

The artist Pham An Hai was born in 1967 in Hanoi. He completed a B.A. and Postgraduate courses at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

1992 – 2019: Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Luxembourg, Belgium, Thailand, USA, Japan, Italy, South Korea, UK, Bahrain, France, Germany, Poland, UAE

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1998 – 1999: in Hanoi

2010: in the UAE

2003, 2005, 2007, 2009,2 012, 2015: in Thailand

2010, 2014: in Hong Kong

2012 to 2017: Contemporary Southeast Asian Auctions at Sotheby’s Hong Kong and Singapore

MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 2007, 2010

Hue Fine Arts Museum 2018

Malaysia Galeri Petronas 2008

AWARDS

Second place in the World Contemporary Art Competition 2015 judged by Art Competition USA

Top 20 prominent abstract artists in Southeast Asia in 2015 selected by the auction house Sotheby’s

Outstanding global artist of the year 2016 as judged and selected by FA Italia