The Grapevine Selection Presents Artist Pham Ngoc Duong

Pham Ngoc Duong was born in 1976 in Hanoi and in 2001 he graduated from Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

Pham Ngoc Duong is an artist who has participated in many contemporary art movements in Hanoi. His exhibition “People in the City” reflects the negative side of Vietnamese society caused by globalization and other social concerns. The artworks portray people who are living under difficult circumstances which have been caused by rapidly changing society, pressure from a lack of understanding of modern life, pressure from changes in culture, and from a lack of human rights.

Since 1997 his works have been widely exhibited in Vietnam. He also has had international solo exhibitions such as France, Switzerland, China, Norway, USA, Singapore and Japan.  His work is included in the Post Vidai collection of contemporary Vietnamese Art (Switzerland) and the Guangdong Museum of Arts (China).

Pham Ngoc Duong said: 

The interaction between surrounding environment and each existing entity is undeniable. To visualize this actuality, ancient proverbs say “If near ink, you will be black; if near light, you will shine” or “Living inside a gourd things become round; living inside a tube things become elongated”. My paintings also reflect that content.

In the upcoming Grapevine Selection exhibition, Duong will show 5 interesting paintings, two of which are new works in 2013 using pen on A4-sized paper.

Further readings:

KVT’s review on Pham Ngoc Duong’s exhibition “People in the City” at Goethe Institut in Jan 2010: KVT at ‘People in the City’.

Pham Ngoc Duong’s “Maggots” installation at Singapore Biennale 2008.

Words by Friederike Krentz and Brian Ring.