Legacy of Cong Quoc Ha

Legacy of Cong Quoc Ha

A vibrant declaration of the unchanging character of Hanoi

The Artist's Journey

A life dedicated to distilling the soul of Hanoi into palettes of color. The artist may pause his journey, but the character in his paintings will remain forever as a definition of standard beauty.

🏛️ ANCIENT HANOI ESSENCE – FOUNDATION OF AN ARTIST'S SOUL

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.

Timeline

1955

Born in Hanoi, Viet Nam (October 29th).

1978

Metropolitan Fine Arts Exhibition, Hanoi Fine Arts Association (The First Award).

1979

Graduated from Hanoi Industrial Fine Arts College, Lacquer Painting Faculty.

1983

Graphic Arts Book Printing, Ministry of Culture (The A Award).

1985

Illustration Graphic Arts Exhibition, Van Nghe Magazine & Vietnam Fine Arts Association (The B Award).

1994

Metropolitan Fine Arts Exhibition, Hanoi Fine Arts Association (The B Award).

1995

Participated in Art Graphic Painting Course in USA.

1995-1999

Vietnam Fine Arts Association Arts Council, Member.

1995-2000

Hanoi Fine Arts Association - Vice Chairman. Hanoi Fine Arts Association Arts Council, Member.

1996

Young Artist Exhibition I, Sweden Fund for Cultural Promotion.

1996-2000

Vietnam Fine Arts Association Young Artist Club, Chairman.

2000

Medal for Vietnam Fine Arts Cultural Career. Illustration Graphic Vietnam Fine Association Exhibition (The C Award).

2003

Medal for Vietnam Fine Arts Career.

2010

Participated in Art silk-screen Printing Course in Spain. The Korean Society of Illustration Research, Member.

2010-2014

Head Branch of Hanoi Graphic - Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

Artist Portrait

Công Quốc Hà

1955 - 2024

Noble Recognitions

  • Metropolitan Fine Arts Exhibition (1978) - First Award
  • Ministry of Culture Graphic Arts Book Printing (1983) - A Award
  • Illustration Graphic Arts Exhibition (1985) - B Award
  • Metropolitan Fine Arts Exhibition (1994) - B Award
  • Medal for Vietnam Fine Arts Cultural Career (2000)
  • Illustration Graphic Vietnam Fine Association Exhibition (2000) - C Award
  • Medal for Vietnam Fine Arts Career (2003)

Life in Pictures

The Artist's Journey
At Work

At Work

Memory Nº 1
Inspiration

Inspiration

Memory Nº 2
Colors of Life

Colors of Life

Memory Nº 3
Moment of Peace

Moment of Peace

Memory Nº 4
Mastery

Mastery

Memory Nº 5
Fine Details

Fine Details

Memory Nº 6
Heritage

Heritage

Memory Nº 7
Artistic Story

Artistic Story

Memory Nº 8
Classic Studio

Classic Studio

Memory Nº 9
Lacquer Magic

Lacquer Magic

Memory Nº 10
Morning Light

Morning Light

Memory Nº 11
Brushes and Soul

Brushes and Soul

Memory Nº 12
Creative Flow

Creative Flow

Memory Nº 13
Legacy

Legacy

Memory Nº 14
Eternal Sketch

Eternal Sketch

Memory Nº 15
Parisian Dream

Parisian Dream

Memory Nº 16
Studio Light

Studio Light

Memory Nº 17
Daily Practice

Daily Practice

Memory Nº 18
Fine Lines

Fine Lines

Memory Nº 19
Artistic Vision

Artistic Vision

Memory Nº 20
Golden Layers

Golden Layers

Memory Nº 21
Handmade Paper

Handmade Paper

Memory Nº 22
Texture of Time

Texture of Time

Memory Nº 23
Vibrant Soul

Vibrant Soul

Memory Nº 24
In the Studio

In the Studio

Memory Nº 25
Creation Process

Creation Process

Memory Nº 26
Master's Touch

Master's Touch

Memory Nº 27
Hanoi Heritage

Hanoi Heritage

Memory Nº 28
Lacquer Essence

Lacquer Essence

Memory Nº 29
Silent Moments

Silent Moments

Memory Nº 30
Timeless Art

Timeless Art

Memory Nº 31
Cultural Breath

Cultural Breath

Memory Nº 32
Drafting

Drafting

Memory Nº 33