Knight of French Art: Hom Nguyen on Motherhood and Creativity

Born in Paris to a Vietnamese refugee mother, Hom Nguyen's artistic journey is one of resilience and passion. After leaving school young to support his paraplegic mother, he worked as a shoe salesman until 2009. Following his mother's passing, he made a life-changing decision to pursue his lifelong love of drawing and painting. Today, his figurative portraits grace major institutions worldwide, from the Musée de l'Homme to the Hôtel National des Invalides, and his works have been presented to presidents and auctioned by Christie's for charitable causes.

We caught up with the self-taught master whose dual cultural heritage continues to inspire his artistic vision and humanitarian efforts.

Self-Taught Journey

You're completely self-taught yet your work now graces major institutions - what sparked your passion for painting and how did you trust yourself to pursue it?

My passion for painting and drawing has always been part of my life; I have been drawing constantly since I was very young. I found the courage to take the plunge when my mother passed away; as if a guide from the afterlife, she placed the right people in my path.

My approach has always been instinctive. Each canvas becomes like a battle, a hand-to-hand encounter with the material. Being self-taught means I developed this raw energy that connects directly with people, without academic barriers getting in the way.

Cultural Identity

Growing up as the son of a Vietnamese refugee in Paris, how did that dual identity forge your artistic vision?

These two countries have given me a bridge for exchange and a lot of humanity, which inspires me daily in my creative work.

This duality naturally leads my artistic vision to draw from both Western expressionism and Eastern philosophy. I'm totally free, without boundaries, which allows me to move between traditions, from Western art to Asian calligraphy and philosophy. It's this constant dialogue between cultures that makes the work resonate universally.

Personal Expression

You've said your work echoes your past and explores themes of integration. How do these personal experiences translate onto the canvas?

It is reflected in the subjects of my works and in the lines that are instinctive, echoing my past.

My work explores what we show of ourselves versus what we try to hide versus what we really are. Each portrait becomes an introspective journey, revealing the layers behind social masks. The faces I create, sometimes fragmented, sometimes blurred, show this contrast between strength and vulnerability, prompting viewers to reflect on their own depths.

Art and Social Impact

Your work often goes beyond the canvas - from museum donations to charity auctions. How do you see the relationship between art and society?

The relationship between art and society, for me, is a relationship of benevolence. Art brings lightness, messages, but also values to society.

For me, art is fundamentally about human values: respect and communion. These are the foundation of all art, like a path that links one human being to another. When I donated works like the Édith Piaf portrait or created pieces honoring figures like Aimé Césaire, I was using art's power to give visibility to stories that matter.

Bangkok Collaboration

What drew you from the galleries of Paris to this collaboration in Bangkok, and what story are you telling through the MĀEYE series?

I have always loved the buzz of Bangkok; it's a city where it feels like anything is possible. Through this series, I wanted to emphasize the bond between mothers and their children.

The MĀEYE series explores memory and resilience, themes that have become central to my recent work. After losing my mother, I've become fascinated by that universal connection between mother and child. It contains both strength and tenderness, protection and letting go. Bangkok's vibrant energy allows me to capture this in a fresh way, honouring these intimate, universal moments.

About the Exhibition The MĀEYE exhibition celebrates the divine feminine through Nguyen's distinctive portraiture style, showcased in the Anantara Siam Bangkok lobby. Guests can also experience the Divine Feminine Afternoon Tea, personally crafted by Chef Aey Anupong. The exhibition will then move and be extended to one of the Lanna capital's most beautiful hotels - Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, at their 1921 House, as part of their 'Whispers of the East: The Artist Edition' experience featuring the resort's signature afternoon tea and painting session. 

Hom Nguyen's remarkable journey from adversity to international acclaim demonstrates the transformative power of art and the importance of cultural bridges in our interconnected world.