His subjects in nature are limitless. “Nature taught me my style, which comes from a pattern,” he says. “I am just creating the language; it is a journey of discovery. I think I am going to keep painting for a very long time. I haven’t seen anything that limits me, yet. Sometimes a new element comes up, right now that has been volcanos.”

In his latest series of sacred landscapes Nguyen introduces a new feature, an arch-sharped gate that frames the water's horizon line and could be interpreted as a transition point to pass under on the road to spiritual enlightenment.

Reported by Genie David.

What is your creative process?

I often sketch on small note sketch-book to get some ideas about the best composition. But I usually don’t look at the sketches while creating the artwork, I think that way I can bring more elements into the artwork without planning. I believe an artwork needs to have both consciousness and unconsciousness elements. I build the artwork step by step, from raw thick paints to defined textures, then details and colors adding back and forth until nothing else I can do to make it better.

Written by Betty Brown - Art and Cake Magazine

Q. What role does the artist have in society?

A. An artist is as a monk, focusing on the spiritual journey, lives a simple life, consumes less and leaves something beautiful for others.

Interview by VOYAGE LA Magazine

Despite his vibrant subjects and beautifully honed techniques, Nguyen is nothing but unassuming when it comes to what he wants viewers to take from his work. “It’s great if people can have feelings for my artwork. Everything else will come later.”
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He adds “I never force myself to change my art. I let it evolve naturally, and I think it should be that way.”

For the viewer, that evolution carries one on a journey to a place that is beyond the ordinary, beyond the defined, into a world that is truly magical.

Article by Genie Davis

Awards:
Media Services Award: Hung Viet Nguyen: “Sacred Cove”
Juror’s Choice: Hung Viet Nguyen: “Sacred Cove”