artLIVE – Following the success of the ‘Duyên’ exhibition in 2024, the Hanoi Watercolor Artists Club (HWA), together with guest artists, proudly presents a new multidimensional art exhibition titled ‘Nối’.
HWA – Connecting souls through brushstrokes
The Hanoi Watercolor Artists Club (HWA) is an art organization that gathers professional and semi-professional artists, as well as painting enthusiasts, who have a special love for watercolor – a medium rich in emotion and close to nature and everyday life.
Founded with the mission of spreading the delicate beauty of watercolor, HWA creates a connecting art space – where artists and the public come together to create, experience, and exchange cultural and artistic values both domestically and internationally.
In just a few years of activity, HWA has made its mark through large-scale exhibitions such as ‘Sắc Màu Việt Nam’ in France, ‘Sắc Màu Châu Âu’ at Hoàn Kiếm Lake (in collaboration with the Polish Embassy), and the member exhibition ‘Duyên’ at Ngô Quyền Exhibition House. The club has also participated in major art events such as the Hanoi Art Fair, Hanoi Festival of Creative Design, and international workshops in Laos, Thailand, etc.
Not only limited to creating and exhibiting art, HWA also spreads artistic spirit to the community through charitable programs such as art sales to raise funds for Agent Orange victims, and building community bridges in Son La…
With a passionate leadership team, led by painter Bui Thanh Viet Hung (President) and painter Luc Thum (Vice President), HWA is currently developing in a professional and sustainable direction with nearly 70 member artists accompanying each other in the journey of creativity, sharing, and spreading artistic values.
From that foundation, HWA continues to expand its influence through annual exhibitions, among which ‘Nối’ is a highlight – an event that clearly reflects the spirit of connection between artists, the public, and contemporary life.
‘Nối’ Exhibition – Honoring beauty and artistic value
‘Nối’ is the 4th annual event of HWA, showcasing the investment, research, and serious creation of watercolor artists not only in Hanoi but also in many other cities. Though the works explore different themes, they all draw strong inspiration from everyday life as the core material for creativity.
The theme ‘Nối’ symbolizes the connection between humans and nature, between memory and the present, between individuals and the community. Bridges, firelight from the kitchen, street corners, countryside scenes, portraits, and animals… are not simply subjects rendered by brushstrokes, but emotional materials filled with depth – evoking in the viewer a sense of nostalgia, empathy, and powerful connection.
The ‘Nối’ exhibition is organized by the Hanoi Watercolor Artists Club (HWA) in collaboration with the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities – Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam. The exhibition gathers 42 official artists along with special guests such as Hung Ho, Minh Dam, Thu Huong, Bao Huynh, Doan Quoc…
Especially featured in the exhibition are works by female artists such as Doan Thanh Huong, Tuyen Nguyen, Phan Thi Thanh Mai, Lieu Dang, Nguyen Duc Binh An, Duong Thu Nga, Vu Khoi Nguyen… With their delicate sensibilities and emotionally rich expressions, their paintings bring a sense of gentleness, stillness, and peace.
Meanwhile, the artworks from the guest artist group contrast entirely – carrying a liberal, dreamy, and spontaneous spirit, contributing to a diverse exhibition full of emotional layers.
Not only a place to admire artworks, ‘Nối’ also expands into a lively art interaction space, including a series of activities such as: demo painting, art talks, do paper print workshops, community sketching, and gift-giving to encourage participant engagement.
Sharing about the spirit of the exhibition, Mr. Le Xuan Kieu – Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities – Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam – said: “To us, heritage is not only the tangible and intangible values recognized over time, but it also lies in the current of contemporary life expressed through artistic works. Co-organizing the ‘Nối’ exhibition with HWA shows our appreciation for Beauty and Art in general. We hope that through the ‘Nối’ exhibition, the beauty of art will reach the public even more.”
In order to bring fresh and unique experiences to the public, the exhibition will take place at two venues. Explaining this decision, painter Dương Thu Nga shared: “At Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, audiences can feel the traditional atmosphere and cultural depth; while in May Thenh Thang Artspace, modern and professional inspiration is clearly expressed.”
‘Nối’ is an artistic journey connecting souls who love painting, evoking harmony between past and present, between art and life. There, viewers can touch beauty in the most delicate, profound, and personal ways.
The exhibition will run from July 14 to July 30, 2025, and will be held at two unique venues in Hanoi: May Thenh Thang Artspace, 3rd Floor, Block B – Chigamex Building, 22 Thanh Cong, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi) and The Temple of Literature (58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi).
Photo: Hanoi Watercolor Artists Club (HWA)
