A platform for young artists to express emotion and identity
The exhibition, which runs from July 17 to 21, displays 76 colourful paintings by six young arts enthusiasts aged from 11 to 17, namely Pham Son Tung, Nguyen Vu Ha Anh, Nguyen Ngoc Nam Khue, Nguyen Minh Dung, Khuc Cao Bao Chi, and Nguyen Ngoc An Nhien.
The works on display cover a wide range of topics such as homeland, family, nature, childhood memories, which are presented in a variety of materials from watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, pencil to monoprints.
Among the participants, Nguyen Ngoc Nam Khue, 16, who is currently living and studying in the US, impressed with a series of 12 works centred on the themes of homeland, family, and nature. Each stroke of Khue’s brush reveals deep emotions alongside a refined inner world beyond her age.
“I’m grateful and proud that my work is exhibited at the Viet Nam Fine Arts Museum. It’s an incredible motivation for me to keep creating and pursuing my passion for painting,” Khue said.
Art is no longer a privilege of adulthood but has become a natural and intimate language of expression for children—a space where they are free to “grow” through their thoughts and emotions.
Painter Dao Hai Phong
Painter Dao Hai Phong, artistic advisor of the exhibition, said he was surprised and delighted when admiring the works created by the young painters.
He stressed that in a developing society, children deserve opportunities to express themselves and should be taken seriously—especially in the arts. Art is no longer a privilege of adulthood but has become a natural and intimate language of expression for children—a space where they are free to “grow” through their thoughts and emotions.
“I’m truly astonished by the maturity and well-defined aesthetic sense in these paintings. It’s a very positive sign that the children possess a strong awareness of artistic values,” he remarked.
Pham Son Ha, a parent whose child took part in the exhibition, shared: “I held that children have many emotions, so I always support them in expressing their inner worlds through painting. I’m glad they have a meaningful creative playground, especially when today’s children have so many interests and options.”
Within the framework of the exhibition, many young children eagerly participated in the community workshop called “Streaks of Colour on Plastic Waves 2.”
This hands-on session extended the display into an engaging experience—where audiences not only admired artwork but also interacted directly with the young artists. Materials such as plastic bottles, straws, nylon bags, bottle caps and spoons were transformed into functional art pieces.
The workshop aimed to create a silent, gentle educational space where children not only learn to paint but also learn to live responsibly for the environment.
Fostering creativity, responsibility and aesthetic awareness through art
Hosted by teachers and students of the Nguech Ngoac Art Workshop, the ‘Journey of Colours – Connecting Dreams’ exhibition is one of the few exhibitions organised exclusively for child artists.
Beyond academic education, fostering artistic talent in children deserves equal attention. In today’s context, where art spaces for children remain limited, exhibitions like “Journey of Colours – Connecting Dreams” hold special significance.
They not only offer a platform for children to showcase their artistic abilities but also provide a space for emotional release, soul nourishment, and joyful discovery.
Cultivating emotion, imagination, and aesthetic sensitivity from an early age contributes to shaping individuals who are empathetic, reflective and compassionate.
The “Nguech Ngoac Art Workshop” was founded in 2014 by Nguyen Ky. The workshop operates under the philosophy of bringing the art of painting closer to children, helping them create freely with their passion for art; appreciating aesthetics, nurturing a soaring and creative soul, and cultivating love for nature, people, family, and themselves.
With a student-centred approach and non-coercive teaching methods, educators accompany and inspire children to express themselves and grow creatively and emotionally.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Nguyen Ky, head of the Nguech Ngoac Art Workshop, shared that teaching art and organising creative projects isn’t merely about training professional painters. Instead, it’s about inspiring perception and nurturing an appreciation for beauty—helping children to develop a distinctive and positive aesthetic outlook.
From this foundation, they can pursue any career path later in life, carrying within them knowledge of art, human values, and social responsibility.
Such exhibitions like “Journey of Colours – Connecting Dreams” should be expanded and widely replicated to provide children with more meaningful artistic playgrounds. When a child’s dream of painting is uplifted, their world opens with wonder, colour, and creativity.
Cultivating emotion, imagination, and aesthetic sensitivity from an early age contributes to shaping individuals who are empathetic, reflective and compassionate—an essential foundation for a humane society where each child freely explores themselves and nurtures their dreams.
