Legacy of Cong Quoc Ha

Cong Quoc Ha was not just born in Hanoi; he was born into the heart of a bourgeois intellectual family at the Phu Gia Villa—the place where he was born and raised (now the 5-star Apricot Hotel at 136 Hang Trong)—a place filled with memories for Hanoians from the 1950s to the 1970s. The keepsakes, lifestyle, and refined conduct within an old Hanoi bourgeois family forged a unique 'aesthetic vision' for him. It was not a momentary glamor, but the poised, noble, and sophisticated lifestyle of the Trang An people, combined with the open mindset of the new intellectual class. In the art world, artist Cong Quoc Ha was known as a teacher, a brother, and a friend with a sociable, humble spirit—a great personality. It is from this worldview that we often see in his paintings, regardless of the subject, a distinct Hanoi character: discreet, non-ostentatious, yet incredibly magnificent from within. His paintings always reflect a beautiful soul, with the stillness of Zen Buddhism blending with the unconventionality of Cubism. The 'elegance' of someone who understands Western art but retains the firm 'roots' of a traditional Vietnamese intellectual. His intellectual foundation was also the key to Cong Quoc Ha's early and brilliant success in Europe. With a similar mindset, he easily integrated and conversed with the international elite and intellectuals through his confident demeanor and vast cultural background. Since graduating from the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts, his works have been displayed in hundreds of exhibitions worldwide, including international fairs like Documenta in Germany, Euro D'Art in Geneva, as well as international exhibitions from Buenos Aires to New York, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, and Melbourne. He received numerous awards for his works globally. He was also the one who laid the foundation for the first nude exhibition in Vietnam in 1992, where he featured 20 paintings alongside artist Do Phan. Considered one of the most dynamic and famous Vietnamese lacquer painters, his entire life remained steadfast, persistently creative, and fully dedicated to painting. His sudden passing in 2024 left much regret in the hearts of admirers. A life dedicated to distilling the soul of Hanoi into colorful patches. The artist may stop his steps, but the character in his paintings will last forever as a definition of standard beauty. Ending one human journey, but opening a new chapter for souls in harmony with intellectual beauty.