Bui Van Hoan | Hanoi Lake

Courtesy of the artist and ArtBlue Studio

Bui Van Hoan was born in Hai Duong, Vietnam in 1971. He graduated from the Hanoi College of Fine Arts in 1994 and has since developed a style of painting inspired by his serene and peaceful approach to life. Often monochromatic in palette, his works play with light through variations in hue and texture. What seems to be initially a hazy image gives way to subtle details and layers of colour. Typical of his meditative style, Hanoi Lake captures the quiet beauty of Hoàn Kiếm Lake (Lake of Returned Sword) in Hanoi at night. At the heart of the composition stands the iconic Tháp Rùa (Turtle Tower), softly illuminated by golden light against deep blue tones. Gentle ripples on the lake’s surface, lush trees in the background and heavy clouds in the sky create a dreamlike atmosphere. The painting speaks to themes of memory, stillness and the enduring presence of history in the landscape of modern life.

Bui Van Hoan’s works can be found in the permanent collection of the Vietnam Fine Art Museum and have been exhibited internationally in London, New York, Rome, Tokyo and Singapore.