Hoang Nam Viet — The Life of an Artist in Saigon
Once a month, I am meeting my favourite Vietnamese artist Hoang Nam Viet at his coffee house Hoàng Thị in Saigon (Vietnam) and talk about art, life and philosophy. Today, I asked him 6 (short) questions about his life and artworks.

P.S.: Artisan Coffee Saigon engaged him to produce a limited edition of a specialised coffee from K’Ho which is known for producing some of the best sustainably-grown, and socially-responsible arabica coffee in Vietnam. You can find more information at the end of the interview.
What‘s your background?
I started to draw when I was a kid. I kept this passion until I was 18 years old. After graduating from school I first worked for 2 years, started my own creative team before I moved as a freelancer into the advertising industry for 3 years. At the age of 28 I started to learn oil-paintings. I started to be a full-time artist once I turned 30.

What does your work aim to say? What is important about your art-work?
In general, I want to say something about humanity. My paintings are a reflection of my diary. Every artwork has a reason and this is very important to me. Art is part of my everyday life, it relates to my real life. When I have friends protesting, I want to tell about their stories — even an event in my life (e.g. my divorce) gives me a strong effect which is translated into my artwork. It is not just an idea or concept: I use my real life to create art. Sometimes it is impressionism, sometimes it is abstract. Sometimes it is Dada. I don‘t mind about how people call it. I think it should happen naturally.
How does your (art)work comment on current social or political issues?
The surface is usually made of something else and in the next layer it is about social elements. My artwork is my respond to political issues.

Who are your biggest influences? Who inspired you?
Schiele (Austrian expressionist) is one of the most influential artist. His direction was very appealing with strong lines.

And Lucian Freud (grandchild of Sigmund Freud). His point of view on human is very different. He is consistent with his way of painting.
How have you developed your style? How would you describe it?
I just draw and paint a lot. It is changing everyday. It is interesting to see myself everyday. So if I have to describe it, I would categorise it more like expressionism. But as I said before, my art is happening naturally.
What is the most important book you have read?
My all-time favourite is Steppenwolf from Hermann Hesse. Currently, I am reading a lot of Dostoevsky about Philosophy.
Thanks for the interview.
Thank you.
Artisan Coffee Saigon
Artisan Coffee Saigon is an initiative to support young, upcoming artists in Vietnam. We are producing 1x a quarter a limited edition coffee which is handcrafted by an artist for a wider audience. Learn more about Artisan Coffee Saigon.
About the Artist
Hoang Nam Viet is a self-thought artist who works across a variety of media. His portraits, usually of familiar individuals like his friends and family, believe a deeper search for meaning in the everyday. A subtle commentary on Vietnam‘s contemporary life, contemplations on the nature of freedom and a desire for change are trapped within the curious gazes of his subjects.
