BIOGRAPHY & CAREER

Year of Birth: 1971
Place of Birth: Hanoi, Vietnam

Education

1997: Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Lacquer Painting, Vietnam University of Fine Arts
2006: Master of Fine Arts, major in Painting

Current Positions

Master of Fine Arts
Member, Vietnam Fine Arts Association
Executive Committee Member, Hanoi Fine Arts Association
Lecturer in Fine Arts; Head of the Fine Arts Department, Hanoi College of Arts
Founder and Head, Vietnamese Natural Lacquer Painters Group

Sources of Inspiration

Nguyễn Trường Linh’s artistic sensibility was shaped by his childhood on Cầu Gỗ Street, near Hoàn Kiếm Lake, immersed in the familiar imagery and atmosphere of old Hanoi. His maternal grandparents were involved in the trade of natural lacquer and lacquer resin, which allowed him early exposure to traditional lacquer techniques and materials—an experience that profoundly influenced his lifelong artistic direction.

Artistic Style

His practice remains steadfastly devoted to traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting, using exclusively natural lacquer (sơn ta). His works are characterized by an abstract visual language interwoven with folk-inspired motifs, creating a synthesis of tradition and contemporary expression. A subtle sense of nostalgia often permeates his paintings, reflecting a quiet longing and a deep commitment to preserving cultural values that are gradually diminishing in the modern era.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

International Exhibitions

2025: Lacquer Art Exhibition – Six Vietnamese Lacquer Painters, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China
2024: Lacquer Art Exhibition and Product Presentation, Paris, France (organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Department of International Cooperation, and the Vietnam Cultural Center in France)
2022: Lacquer Painting Exhibition, Tainan, Taiwan
2021: Lacquer Painting Exhibition, Kaohsiung Art Fair, Taiwan
2020: Solo Exhibition of Lacquer Paintings, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2019–2018–2017: Series of Solo Exhibitions of Traditional Lacquer Paintings, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2016:
- Solo Exhibition of Traditional Lacquer Paintings, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- International Contemporary Lacquer Art Exhibition, South Korea
- Rhythms of Time – Vietnamese–Korean Lacquer Art, Korea Cultural Center, Hanoi
2013:
- Solo Exhibition of Lacquer Paintings, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Lacquer Painting Exhibition, Italy (co-organized by the Department of Fine Arts)
2012: 5th Beijing International Art Biennale, Beijing, China
2011: Vietnamese Lacquer Painting Exhibition, Beijing, China (organized by the Department of Fine Arts)
2008: Vietnamese Lacquer Painting Exhibition, Guangzhou, China (organized by the Department of Fine Arts)
2006: Lacquer Painting Exhibition, South Korea (organized by the Department of Fine Arts)
1998: Vietnam–ASEAN Fine Arts Exhibition (co-organized by the Department of Fine Arts and Philip Morris)

Domestic Exhibitions

2025: Khai Xuân Exhibition, organized by the Department of Fine Arts Exhibition and Photography
2024:
- Tam Giác Mạch Group Exhibition, 4th Edition
- National Fine Arts Exhibition on Armed Forces and Revolutionary War (2019–2024), organized by the General Political Department and the Vietnam Military History Museum
2023:
- Vietnam Fine Arts Competition and Exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
- Tam Giác Mạch Group Exhibition, 3rd Edition
2021:
- Tam Giác Mạch Group Exhibition, 2nd Edition
- THE NUDE I Group Exhibition
2020:
- Vietnam Fine Arts Exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
- Vietnamese Natural Lacquer Painters Group Exhibition
2019:
- National Fine Arts Exhibition on Armed Forces and Revolutionary War
- Six Degrees – MSC Charity Art Program: Mountain Star
- Tam Giác Mạch Group Exhibition, 1st Edition
2015:
- National Fine Arts Exhibition
- Ngũ Sắc Group Exhibition (3rd Edition), Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum
2014:
- Vietnamese Natural Lacquer Painters Group Exhibition, 2nd Edition
- Fairy Tale Lines, organized by Heritage Magazine – Vietnam Airlines
- Ngũ Sắc Group Exhibition, 16 Ngô Quyền Exhibition House, Hanoi
- National Fine Arts Exhibition on Revolutionary War (2009–2014)
2013:
- Vietnamese Natural Lacquer Painters Group Exhibition, 1st Edition
- Tứ Tấu Group Exhibition – Four Hanoi Painters
2010: National Fine Arts Exhibition, organized by the Ministry of Culture
2009: 1000th Anniversary of Thăng Long – Hanoi Fine Arts Exhibition
2005: National Fine Arts Exhibition
2000: National Fine Arts Exhibition
1995: National Fine Arts Exhibition

Annual: Participation in exhibitions organized by the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and the Hanoi Fine Arts Exhibition since 1998.

AWARDS

2024: Encouragement Prize, National Fine Arts Exhibition on Armed Forces and Revolutionary War (2019–2024)
2023:
- Third Prize, Vietnam Fine Arts Competition and Exhibition
- Encouragement Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Hanoi), Vietnam Fine Arts Association
2019:
- Grade C Prize, Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts
- Grade C Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Hanoi)
- Encouragement Prize, Hanoi Fine Arts Exhibition
- Grade B Prize, National Exhibition on Armed Forces and Revolutionary War
2014: Grade A Prize, National Exhibition on Armed Forces and Revolutionary War
2013: Encouragement Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Painting)
2012: Encouragement Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Painting)
2010:
- Gold Medal, National Fine Arts Exhibition
- Grade B Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Painting)
2009:
- Grade A Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Painting)
- First Prize, 1000th Anniversary of Thăng Long Exhibition
2007: Grade A Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Painting)
2006: Grade B Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Painting)
2005: Grade C Prize, Regional Exhibition I (Painting)
2000: Outstanding Award, Hanoi Fine Arts Exhibition
1998: Certificate of Merit, Vietnam–ASEAN Fine Arts Exhibition

Public Collections

Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum
Vietnam Military History Museum
Collection of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association
Quang San Private Museum
Art Collection of the Embassy of Vietnam in China
Numerous private collections in Vietnam and abroad