“Acquired Identity” - solo exhibition at the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy in Hanoi
Thông tin báo chí (tiếng Việt) | Informacja prasowa (polski)
PRESS RELEASE
Exhibition “Acquired Identity” by artist Minh Dam
Dates: 9 – 26 December 2025
Venue: Tien Duong Building, Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy, Hanoi
Opening Ceremony: 4:30PM, 9 December 2025
Co-organizers:
Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy
Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Hanoi
Partnering organization:
Nhau Studio
A Cultural Event Celebrating 75 Years of Vietnam–Poland Diplomatic Relations
On the occasion of the closing chapter of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Poland and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature – Imperial Academy and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Hanoi, in collaboration with Nhau Studio, proudly present the art exhibition “Acquired Identity” and the Gala Concert by the OSP Nadarzyn Orchestra.
About the Exhibition
“Acquired Identity” is a solo exhibition by artist Minh Dam, one of the distinctive voices in contemporary watercolor painting, with more than twenty years of artistic practice across Vietnam and Europe.
The exhibition brings together over 200 significant works, created across different periods from 2005 to the present. This is the first comprehensive presentation in Vietnam of the artist’s two-decade-long body of work.
Masterful Watercolor — Resonant Emotion — Polyphonic Visual Language
Watercolor, often regarded as a fragile and elusive medium, has become the artist’s greatest strength.
Minh Dam is recognized as one of the rare painters who fully command this medium, from fluidity, tonal depth, pigment granulation to spatial perception.
Yet, the true appeal of his work lies not only in technique but in how he uses it to tell subtle stories of time, light, emotion, and memory.
In many paintings, the protagonist is not a figure, but a dominant hue, an atmosphere, a movement of light, or a thin veil of smoke — intangible elements that become the soul of the artwork.
His works do not demand immediate interpretation. Instead, they open slowly and naturally — with each translucent layer and soft gradient quietly inviting contemplation.
Two Cultures — One Emerging Identity
Born in Vietnam and raised in Poland, Minh Dam carries two cultural backgrounds and two distinct memory systems.
This duality forms the layered identity expressed in his art.
In Poland, he captures streets, winters, castles, and northern light with the sensitivity of someone who has lived long enough to understand, and quiet enough to observe.
In Vietnam, he revisits Hanoi and familiar landscapes with the eyes of someone who left and returned — a perspective that is both intimate and reflective.
This intersection forms the foundation of his evolving identity — an identity not confined to a single definition, but continuously shaped by lived experiences, cultural transitions, and deepening emotion.
“There was a time when I felt divided between two worlds, as if I didn’t truly belong anywhere. Today I see multiculturalism as a bridge — helping me understand others, connect cultures, and understand myself better. Multiculturalism is not a burden, but a strength.”
— Minh Dam
“Acquired Identity” — An Artistic Coming-of-Age
The exhibition allows viewers to witness a clear transformation in the artist’s practice:
from technique to emotion, from form to color, from space to memory — from early clarity to mature introspection.
Each painting becomes a chapter in a visual autobiography, offering a fragment of an evolving artistic self.
Program Highlights
1. Gala Concert — OSP Nadarzyn Orchestra (Poland)
Following the opening ceremony, audiences will enjoy a gala concert by the OSP Nadarzyn Orchestra, established in 1998 and widely recognized for artistic excellence and its commitment to promoting Polish musical culture.
The orchestra is regarded as one of the most outstanding brass ensembles in Poland and Europe, winning numerous awards at national and international competitions, including championships in Parade Marching and Concert Marching.
Its repertoire spans Polish and international standards, from classical compositions to contemporary arrangements.
2. Workshops and Public Activities
A series of cultural and artistic activities will accompany the exhibition, including:
Art calendar workshop
Tea appreciation session
Christmas card workshop
Watercolor demonstration & technique sharing
Folk art workshop
Red envelope painting inspired by the Temple of Literature
Artist-led exhibition tour by Minh Dam
Artist Biography — Minh Dam
Minh Dam is a Vietnamese–Polish artist and architect. He holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from Warsaw University of Technology (Politechnika Warszawska), Poland.
With more than twenty years dedicated to watercolor painting and art education, he is a leading representative of his generation.
He is co-founder of the Polish Watercolor Association, and has taught, curated, and exhibited in over 30 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In 2022, he presented a solo exhibition at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi — co-organized by the Embassy of Poland — marking a milestone in connecting Polish and Vietnamese cultures through art.
Professional roles:
Watercolor artist
Art & Architecture educator
Cultural connector between Vietnam and Poland
Co-founder of the Polish Watercolor Association
Curator and exhibition organizer
Co-founder of dRifferent (art & craft brand)
Contact Information
1. Center for Cultural & Scientific Activities, Temple of Literature
Contact: Mrs. Dang Anh Van, Head of Education & Communication
Phone: +84 932070109
2. Artist contact
Mr. Minh Dam
Phone: +84 971759737 / +84 989407069
WhatsApp: +48 792759737
Gallery: facebook.com/minhdam.artist
Email: minh@minhdam.com
Website: www.minhdam.com