More than 10 paintings and sculptures made on the subject of war by
artists from across the country are on display in downtown Hanoi.
This exhibition is part of a project of the Ministry of Culture, Sports
and Tourism to encourage contemporary artists to compose artworks on
the theme of patriotism.
The displayed items include works of
various media, such as oil-on-canvas and lacquer paintings, as well as
copper and stone sculptures, which depict patriotism, bravery, and the
sacrifice made by Vietnamese people during the war of resistance against
the French and American.
“As the years pass by, the memories of
the heroic battles featured in the artworks become more meaningful,”
Deputy Minister of Culture Vuong Duy Bien said.
“They’re like
reminders, praising our people’s patriotism. The exhibition is dedicated
to the older generations who died or were injured while fighting for
our independence. I hope the artworks inspire younger generations.”
Moreover,
Vi Kien Thanh, the head of the ministry’s Fine Arts, Photography and
Exhibition Department, noted that the movement of composing artworks was
launched in June 2011, when the ministry commissioned 13 artists to
create pieces of art on the subject.
“I highly appreciate the
sculptures made by four artists, three of whom are more than 60 years
old,” sculptor Luu Danh Thanh, who is part of the jury, remarked “They made the sculptures with their hearts, as I know that with such
a small budget from the State (1 billion VND (47,000 USD) spent for all
13 artworks), we cannot manage the cost of materials, let alone
encourage creative ideas.”
Thanh especially appreciated Phan Gia
Huong’s sculpture of Vietnamese mothers in three regions. The stone
sculpture is so large that it cannot be displayed at the exhibition
hall. Instead, it will be displayed later in the yard at the Vietnam
Museum of Women.
Furthermore, Le Anh Van, a painter on the jury,
said that four of the eight paintings were of excellent quality, while
the other four were of good quality.
He added that he appreciated
Dao Quoc Huy’s oil-on-canvas painting, entitled Suc Manh Nguoi Linh
(Strength of Soldiers), which features people at the rear of the battle,
such as old mothers and children.
“Although Huy is from the
younger generation that did not experience the wars, he understands that
weapons were not the strength of the soldiers; it was their motherland
and families,” Van pointed out.
The artworks will be showcased at Exhibition House, 29 Hang Bai Street, through the end of the week.-VNA