{"id":80,"date":"2017-09-05T10:49:47","date_gmt":"2017-09-05T10:49:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/demo.curlythemes.com\/art-gallery-wp\/?page_id=80"},"modified":"2025-03-31T05:56:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T05:56:16","slug":"about-flora","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/florafinearts.com\/vi\/about-flora\/","title":{"rendered":"Gi\u1edbi thi\u1ec7u"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

About me<\/h1>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

I believe that every person in this world has their own journey \u2013 one that is deeply personal, unique, and sacred. Like a bird soaring across the sky without leaving a trace, our journeys may appear briefly, only to dissolve into the vastness of time.<\/p>\n

Yet, while still in flight, that bird is drawing a clear and determined path of its own. I invite you to catch a glimpse of this journey of mine.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

The Beginning<\/h1>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

I began writing poetry and short stories at a young age. By the age of 15, I was already publishing my works in newspapers and magazines for students, as well as in cultural and literary magazines of that time. Although I initially studied in a math-focused class, a health issue led me to be placed in a literature-focused class instead. And so, I became a National Gifted Student in Literature throughout all levels of education.<\/p>\n

Thanks to winning the highest prize in the National Gifted Student Competition in Literature in 12th grade, I was granted direct admission to study Literature Education. However, I had long nurtured a dream of becoming a journalist.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>
A poem published in a newspaper. I found it posted on social media recently.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

1999<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

I followed that dream and graduated with a degree in Journalism at the age of 22 in 1999, embarking on a career as a professional journalist from that point onward. During this period, my passion for creative writing remained a constant companion alongside my official work in journalism.<\/p>\n

A year later, I played a pivotal role in establishing one of Vietnam\u2019s first online newspapers, now known as Dan Tri. Throughout my journalism career, I devoted most of my passion to arts and culture. During that time, I had the opportunity to interview and meet many painters and artists, whose insights and perspectives later influenced my journey into painting.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>
K40A - Journalism Faculty - Social Science and Humanities University<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

2004<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

By 2004, my boyfriend (now my husband) and I co-founded our first media company, marking the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. Over the years, we have successfully organized numerous international events and festivals spanning arts, culture, music, and cinema. These achievements reflect the breadth of my interests and the dedication I\u2019ve poured into the creative industries.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>
Me in action at HIFF 2024 with Director Kore-eda Hirokazu<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

In 2012, my husband, young son, and I moved to Ho Chi Minh City. The natural environment and climate resonated with my emotions and personality, leading to significant spiritual and philosophical growth after I overcame a period of depression in 2013. During that time of isolation, I faced what I call my \u201cdark night of the soul\u201d and emerged as a more courageous person, ready to take on challenges that societal and familial expectations had previously constrained. One of the bold steps I took was picking up a paintbrush without any formal training – a leap of faith that would change my life.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Transition to Painting<\/h1>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

2018<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

In 2018, after five years of practicing a healthy lifestyle \u2013 from diet to exercise \u2013 and a deep desire to seek answers about the meaning of existence, one ordinary day, I picked up a brush and started painting. It happened naturally, without any effort or intention to find something. I simply felt the urge to paint, so I painted.<\/p>\n

For a long time, I had a strong feeling that I could paint. When observing the world around me, I often imagined how I would capture the light and colors if I were to paint it. Skipping the phase of practicing basic techniques or studying painting methods, I used a watercolor set that a friend had gifted my daughter and started painting. And that was also the only watercolor painting I have ever made to this day. Right after that, I went on to create 30 acrylic paintings purely by instinct.<\/p>\n

This period of exploration coincided with a particularly significant time in my life. I had just given birth to twin boys, becoming a mother of four. Although I wished to learn more from available resources, my busy schedule made that nearly impossible. I painted late at night after my children were asleep, allowing everything to unfold naturally.<\/p>\n

Perhaps because of my background in culture, arts, research, and creative work, I was able to approach painting relatively quickly. Through continuous practice, I developed a strong connection with colors and established my palette early on. I instinctively knew what colors I wanted to use \u2013 much like how I select colors in fashion or interior design \u2013 and I had a clear sense of what resonated with me and what didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Even when my techniques were still far from refined, my earliest works already reflected a distinct spirit and color identity. Whether I was writing poetry or painting, I was always at ease, staying true to myself \u2013 sensitive, fragile, yet never weak. Whether my works conveyed joy or sadness, I always aimed to express something uplifting, to transform and transcend the burdens, sorrows, and heaviness that life often brings.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>
Part of my early stage collection in my old house in Nha Be, HCMC.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

First Exhibition<\/h1>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

In 2023, a friend invited me to exhibit my paintings at Define Gallery Cafe in Ho Chi Minh City. At first, I was hesitant. But with the encouragement of sculptor \u0110\u00e0m \u0110\u0103ng L\u1ea1i, I finally introduced my work to a wider audience for the first time.<\/p>\n

During the exhibition, where I displayed 20 paintings across four categories \u2013 floral, abstract, landscape, and portrait \u2013 I received a lot of interest from friends and foreign visitors. Some even returned multiple times, trying to persuade me to sell my paintings. However, I chose not to sell them because I was too busy with the film festival and other projects at the time. I didn\u2019t have enough time to create more works, and I wasn\u2019t even sure if I would continue painting.<\/p>\n

But something quietly shifted the moment I brought my paintings out into the public. It felt like a door had opened, marking a true turning point that led me to embrace this journey more seriously.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\"\"<\/div>
My first exhibition at Define Gallery Cafe<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Between 2019 and 2024, I traveled extensively to various countries for work, visiting museums in major cities such as Paris, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Barcelona, Rome, Florence, Venice, Prague, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, The Hague, New York, New Haven, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul, Daegu, and Busan. Viewing masterpieces by renowned artists during these travels significantly shaped my artistic vision and creativity. I create art without relying on inspiration \u2013 I can work anywhere, anytime, as long as I have the time and tools to paint.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n