Across diverse creative spaces, Vietnamese artist Nguyễn Văn Chung has continuously sought his own visual language, with woodcut printmaking emerging as a defining medium. Deeply rooted in the Central Highlands, his works reflect a profound attachment to the region’s land, people, and environment.
* Could you share how you first came to pursue a career in fine arts?
Artist Nguyễn Văn Chung. Photo: Provided by the artist
- My passion for painting began in childhood. A turning point came when my uncle, sculptor Nguyễn Văn Hàm, recognized my talent and encouraged me to study Art Education.
My early artistic foundation was shaped by my teacher, artist Nguyễn Văn Điền. I vividly remember being captivated by his gouache landscape sketches of the Central Highlands.
From those early experiences, the cultural identity, land, and people of the Bana and Jrai gradually became integral to my artistic thinking and later works.
* At what point did you enter the world of professional fine arts?
- I began engaging in professional art activities in 2007, participating in the Gia Lai Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition with two works: “Chiều Tây Nguyên” (oil on canvas) and “Chạy mưa” (gouache).
Since then, I have balanced teaching with artistic creation, taking part in numerous regional and national exhibitions.
"Lệ rừng" (Forest Tears, woodcut print) by artist Nguyễn Văn Chung (Exhibited at the 2024 ASEAN Graphic Art Exhibition, Encouragement Prize at the 2025 Literary and Artistic Awards of the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities). Photo: N.Phong
* What motivates you to experiment with various materials instead of focusing on a single technique?
- During my studies, I mainly used watercolor, gouache, and oil paint. It was only after entering professional practice that I expanded into other materials.
Exposure to exhibitions, travel, and exchanges with fellow artists encouraged me to explore new forms of expression. For me, each idea requires its own visual language. Materials are not just tools but essential elements in conveying the spirit of a work.
* Which medium best defines your artistic identity?
- Woodcut printmaking. I am entirely self-taught in this medium, developing my approach through experimentation. I work with both carved woodblocks and printed woodcuts in color and black-and-white. The bold, rustic qualities of woodcut align naturally with themes of the Central Highlands, allowing me to express their essence more effectively. Some of my works, such as “Sức sống đại ngàn,” (Vitality of the Great Forest) “Khát…!,” (Thirst…!) and “Lệ rừng”, (Forest Tears) have received recognition at regional, national, and international exhibitions.
"Lời ru của rừng" (The Forest's Lullaby, mixed media) by artist Nguyễn Văn Chung (C Prize, 2024 Literary and Artistic Awards of the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities). Photo: N.Phong
* How has living in the Central Highlands shaped your creative inspiration?
- Being born and raised here, the region’s identity, culture, and people are deeply embedded in me. The landscapes, architecture, and rich cultural heritage of ethnic groups such as the Jrai and Bana provide endless inspiration. This connection forms the core direction of my artistic career.
* You create many works about the forest. What draws you to this subject?
- I see the forest as a living entity, almost a central character that embodies human emotion. Rather than depicting it realistically, I try to capture its spirit. My field trips, including visits to grave house areas of the Jrai and Bana, revealed a deeply rooted “forest culture.” These experiences inspired works like “Lời ru của rừng.”
At the same time, the destruction of forests has left a strong impression on me. Images of barren hills and dead trees have driven me to create works such as “Khát…!,” “Lũ sắp về,” and “Lệ rừng,” as both warnings and calls for greater environmental responsibility.
* Looking back, what dreams do you still hold for your artistic journey?
- I continue to study and explore new themes, including the sea and islands, cultural heritage, Champa art, and traditional performing arts. I hope to organize solo exhibitions based on these themes, starting in my home province as a way of expressing gratitude, and eventually expanding to major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
SOME NOTABLE AWARDS OF ARTIST NGUYỄN VĂN CHUNG:
"Âm sắc đại ngàn (1)" (Tones of the Great Forest (1), woodcut print) by artist Nguyễn Văn Chung (C Prize, 2023 Region V Fine Arts Exhibition). Photo: N.Phong
- Young Author Award from the National Committee of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations in 2010, 2011, and 2014.
- Two B Prizes at the 3rd (2010–2015) and 4th (2016–2021) Gia Lai Provincial Literary and Artistic Awards.
- B Prize at the 2017 Region V Fine Arts Exhibition; A Prize at the Region V Fine Arts Exhibitions in 2020 and 2021.
- Third Prize at the 2021 Vietnam Fine Arts Association Awards; C Prize at the Region V Fine Arts Exhibitions in 2022 and 2023; awards from the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities in 2023, 2024, and 2025, among others.
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A traditional royal decree procession highlighted the annual Quý Xuân offering ceremony held on March 28 at An Khê ancestral temple in Gia Lai Province, as local residents gathered to pray for peace, prosperity and favorable weather.
![Tác phẩm Lệ rừng (in khắc gỗ) của họa sĩ Nguyễn Văn Chung (Triển lãm tranh đồ họa các nước ASEAN năm 2024, giải khuyến khích giải thưởng văn học nghệ thuật của Hội Văn học Nghệ thuật các dân tộc thiểu số Việt Nam năm 2025). Ảnh: N.Phong](https://en-cdn.baogialai.com.vn/images/e82b49833c8dbaf473628748ef9ffdc3e968e8f3b632ec9e9ba8122c909c46442d3cd82256a607d0e7e78d9fb04e452b335287ee8507ad9a0f004f2d2500cae1/tac-pham-le-rung-bg3.jpg.avif ""Lệ rừng" (Forest Tears, woodcut print) by artist Nguyễn Văn Chung (Exhibited at the 2024 ASEAN Graphic Art Exhibition, Encouragement Prize at the 2025 Literary and Artistic Awards of the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities). Photo: N.Phong")
![tac-pham-loi-ru-cua-rung.jpg](https://en-cdn.baogialai.com.vn/images/e82b49833c8dbaf473628748ef9ffdc3e968e8f3b632ec9e9ba8122c909c4644a921ad6148dec81db5c38ea88dc010adbd8b7715755e8fb46886f5ebd3da936d/tac-pham-loi-ru-cua-rung.jpg.avif ""Lời ru của rừng" (The Forest's Lullaby, mixed media) by artist Nguyễn Văn Chung (C Prize, 2024 Literary and Artistic Awards of the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities). Photo: N.Phong")
![Tác phẩm Âm sắc đại ngàn (1) (in khắc gỗ) của họa sĩ Nguyễn Văn Chung (giải C triển lãm Mỹ thuật khu vực V năm 2023). Ảnh: N.Phong](https://en-cdn.baogialai.com.vn/images/e82b49833c8dbaf473628748ef9ffdc3e968e8f3b632ec9e9ba8122c909c46445938378131f9d2e9a8b0630358c9b7df682eee953ed21cf8bf681a8ecad6e8c3/tac-pham-am-sac-dai-ngan.jpg.avif ""Âm sắc đại ngàn (1)" (Tones of the Great Forest (1), woodcut print) by artist Nguyễn Văn Chung (C Prize, 2023 Region V Fine Arts Exhibition). Photo: N.Phong")
