Hanoi (VNA) – An exhibition featuring more than 200 curated watercolour works from the 20-year artistic career of Polish-Vietnamese painter Minh Dam is currently on display at the Temple of Literature special relic site in Hanoi.
The exhibition, titled "Danh tinh hinh thanh" (Acquired Identity), is part of a series of activities celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and Vietnam.
According to the organisers, Acquired Identity is an artistic reflection on the experience of living between two cultures, Vietnamese and Polish. The exhibition presents works inspired by the artist’s birthplace, Vietnam, and by his adult life in Poland, where he has lived for more than thirty years.
It is a personal journey taking visitors through themes of belonging, distance, memory and reconnection, telling the story of returning to one’s roots while also growing new ones.
The artworks offer a deep and multidimensional perspective, exploring the immigrant experience, from the early sense of unfamiliarity and the struggle to find one’s place to the realisation that multicultural identity can become a source of strength rather than a burden.
The layout and lighting will be designed to create special effects that establish two distinct emotional spaces – Poland, with cold, nostalgic sentiment and Vietnam, with warm, familiar emotion – guiding viewers on a journey to discover the artist's identity.
In particular, the opening ceremony on December 9 featured performances by OSP Nadarzyn Orchestra, considered one of the best brass bands in Poland and around the world.
The exhibition, running until December 26, will also include a workshop, an art talk, an artist tour, and an online painting competition, providing the public with direct interaction with the artist and allowing participants to explore watercolour techniques.
Born in Hanoi, Minh emigrated to Poland with his parents at the age of seven. Minh began his journey with watercolour in 2004, and since 2007, he has also been teaching, focusing primarily on this medium.
As a co-founder of the Polish Watercolor Society and a dedicated advocate of watercolour art, Minh has played a key role in shaping a new generation of watercolour artists.
He has conducted numerous workshops and participated in international exhibitions across more than 30 countries, including Italy, the US, France, Australia, China, Mexico, the Republic Korea and Thailand.
His work has earned multiple prestigious awards in international competitions, and his solo exhibitions have been held in both Poland and Vietnam./.
