Annam Gallery proudly presents the exhibition “NHỮNG GAM MÀU TỰ DO | FREEFORM COLORS,” showcasing to the public 29 artworks across a variety of subjects and media. From Phạm Lực’s signature medium of oil on burlap to lacquer, silk, and watercolor, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the multifaceted and dynamic creative world of the artist.

Phạm Lực is not confined to depicting war scenes or the suffering of lives engulfed in flames. He expands his vision to express peace in everyday life. The subjects in his paintings are remarkably diverse - urban scenes, seascapes, still life, daily life, folklore, and nudes. Yet, the image of women, especially young women, remains a recurring and deeply inspiring theme for him. These could be women in old clothes riding bicycles with children during wartime, mothers holding babies, elderly fruit vendors, or grandmothers in traditional “mỏ quạ” headscarves - all familiar representations of Vietnamese women. Through these works, he portrays and honors Vietnamese women across different eras - as symbols of sacrifice and hope during wartime, and of beauty, tranquility, and happiness in times of peace.

One of the most distinctive features of Phạm Lực’s paintings is his use of color. His palette is rich and varied—sometimes warm and vibrant with interwoven, harmonious tones, other times carrying a wistful, melancholic aura that evokes longing for a bygone era. Phạm Lực is not just a painter, but a bridge between memory and the present, between pain and hope. His works are like silent poems or warm melodies that stir deep, multidimensional emotions in viewers.

In this collection of 29 pieces, one can also observe a gentle evolution in his style and technique through different creative periods. Some paintings exhibit strong realism with intricate detail, while others embrace freeform abstraction, offering viewers a wide and enriching visual experience.

About the artist:

Phạm Lực, born in 1943 and originally from Huế, studied at the Vietnam College of Fine Arts and graduated from the Vietnam University of Fine Arts in 1977. He served in the military for 35 years, having fought in Hàm Rồng (Thanh Hóa) and across battlefields in the Central Highlands, Southern Laos, and the Mekong Delta. Recognized as one of Vietnam’s most distinctive and expressive painters, Phạm Lực has held over 30 exhibitions both domestically and internationally. Beyond his familiar war-themed works as a military artist, he is also celebrated for his touching depictions of Vietnamese everyday life—rural landscapes, maternal love, portraits of women, and scenes from daily living.