Biography

Nguyen Thanh Binh was born in 1954 in Hanoi. He joined the army during the war. He then went on to further study specializing in oil painting at Ho Chi Minh City Fine Art University.

Binh is well known for his works depicting female figures wearing the white Ao Dai dress. He also draws his inspiration from classical music and his daughter, a ballerina. He says: “Fine Art is not about philosophy or literature but about music”. Binh’s other source of inspiration is Japanese poetry, Haiku. As a Haiku poem where a few lines can carry a lot of meaning, his paintings unveil meaningful images executed in simple, but poignant brush strokes. “A Haiku is a very small poem containing only three lines, but its meaning is enormous. Paintings can also convey an immense significance with few colors and details”, says Binh.

Binh likens his preference for simplicity in composition and design to his own way of life, citing he wants to express the happiness and sorrow of the Vietnamese souls in his works. Binh also does not just see females for their physical forms but is inspired by the sense of each woman, that elusive feminine mystery that can change like the wind. The sense of movement each woman has when she sits, stands, or lies down, whether dancing or playing sports, tells a story about who she is as an individual as well as other stories when she is with other people. Although Binh has been influenced by Western art and its aesthetics, his art falls well within the philosophical and aesthetic sphere of Asia.

From 1885 to 2016 Binh staged several solo and group exhibitions in Vietnam and overseas such as Hongkong, Tokyo, Dubai, Miami, New York, London, and Paris.

Binh’s use of space is a very significant factor and an integral part of his works. His signature tone is white, brown, beige, and grey.

Throughout his career, Binh has staged many solo shows and participated in numerous group exhibitions in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the USA, France, Belgium, and the UK. Binh is a member of the Vietnam Fine Art Association.

1954: Born 25th September in Hanoi, Vietnam.

1972: Graduated from Vietnam Fine Arts College, Hanoi.

1983: Graduated from Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts University.

Exhibitions

2001: "Separated Path" exhibition at Thang Long Gallery, Hanoi.

"PalExpo 2001” Geneva, Switzeland.

Contemporary Artists Vietnam- Part" The Artists

1998: Group exhibition “Judith Hughes Day” Ansonia Station, New York, USA

The Images From Vietnam " Atrium Gallery, Sofitel Metropole, Australia. Europe Art 2000” Barcelona, Spain.

1997: Participated in “Vietnamese Approaches to Human Forn” in La Vong Gallery, Hong Kong

Exhibition by Group 3 artists in the Blue Spare Gallery, Ho Chi Minh.

Participated in “Responsive Chords” in La Vong Gallery, Hong Kong

Participated in the “ New Face of Vietnam

Exhibition in Simyo Gallery, Seoul, Korea.

Participated in "The Elegance of Southern" with Mr. Do Quang Em in La Vong Gallery, Hong Kong, RP China

Participated in H & S Even Award - " Woman and Man " Bruxelle, Belgique

Group exhibition by 3 Vietnamese artists (with Hong Viet Dung and Le Thiet Cuong)

Vietnamese children” charities at The Gallery in Cook Street, London, UK.

1996: Solo exhibition in the La Vong Gallery, Hong Kong

Participated in the “ Aqua Asia” exhibition in the Runku Tower, Osaka, Japan

Exhibition by a group of 10 artists from HCMC in the Trang An Gallery, Hanoi

1995: Participated in the “ International Fine Arts and Antique Fair – Art Asia 95”, Hong Kong

1994: Participated in “ Vietnam Festival - May 1994" in Hong Kong

Participated in the “ Keeping Cool II” exhibition in La Vong Gallery, Hong Kong

Exhibition in La Vong Gallery, Hong Kong Participated in “ The Best of La Vong” exhibition in La Vong Gallery, Hong Kong

Participated in the workshop “ Dalat dialogue” of the Vietnamese and Dutch artists, Dalat, Vietnam

1992: Group exhibition by 4 young artists of Ho Chi Minh.

1993: Abstract Vietnamese exhibition in Ho Chi Minh.

Group exhibition by Vietnamese and Singaporean artists

Exhibition by Vietnamese and French artists in Espace NK Gallery, Ho Chi Minh

Group Exhibition by 3 artists - Ho Chi Minh.

1991: Reminiscent from the Land of Vietnam" in Paris, France.

1989: National Young Artists Exhibition in Hanoi.

Exhibition by a group of 10 artists from Ho Chi Minh City.

1987: Group exhibition by 4 young artists - Ho Chi Minh

1986: Young Artist " exhibition in Ho Chi Minh.

1985: National Fine Arts Exhibition.