The exhibition is among activities to celebrate the 94th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - February 3, 2024) and the 70th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024).
The opening ceremony on January 26 attracted a large number of visitors and art-lovers.
The 36 paintings on display at the exhibition include a selection from the collection of the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum along with several Hang Trong folk paintings.
The artworks feature the ancient Hanoi Old Quarter, the bustling atmosphere of the capital city, and the joy and excitement of the local people in welcoming spring.
According to Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh, Director of the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi’s spring atmosphere is captured in the works of artists who have lived and developed a strong attachment to the city, and even those who have stepped on this land just once.
Admiring the works on display at the ‘Spring in Hanoi’ exhibition, one can explore the beauty of the streets and people of Hanoi as well as the traditional customs and practices of Hanoians during Tet, which remain well preserved despite the hustle and bustle of modern day life.
The exhibition also helps the public access the works of many celebrated Vietnamese artists such as Bui Xuan Phai, Nguyen Nghia Duyen, Nguyen Trong Kiem, Nguyen Van Thieu, and Tran Trong Vu.
Participating in the exhibition, artist Tran Nguyen Dan said he was moved when his gouache painting entitled ‘Thang Long-Dong Do’, which was created in 1984, received much appraisal from viewers.
The 83-year-old artist has won many prestigious art awards and is known for many nationalistic and folk-inspired paintings.
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'Thang Long-Dong Do’ painting by Tran Nguyen Dan |
His ‘Thang Long-Dong Do’ painting featured the opening ceremony of Dong Da Mound Festival on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. The festival is observed every year to mark the Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da Victory over Chinese Qing invaders and commemorate Emperor Quang Trung, who led Tay Son troops to defeat 20,000 Qing invaders, thus liberating the imperial city of Thang Long and regaining national independence and freedom.
Like many other regions across the country, traditional Lunar New Year in Hanoi can be seen through Tet markets, spring flower markets, and five-fruit trays.
Famous artists Le Quoc Lo, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, Pham Viet Hai, Nguyen Tien Chung, Pham Van Don, Tran Luu Hau, and Nguyen Ngoc Tuan created vibrant pictures of Hanoi with scenes of people flocking to the markets to buy peach blossoms, young women dressed in beautiful Ao Dai to go down the street, or the moment when many people excitedly count down on New Year's Eve.
Using assorted materials such as silk painting, wood carving, oil painting, and gouache, the artists evoked different emotions and effects among viewers through their paintings.
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Nguyet Nga’s artwork entitled ‘Ngay Tet Nguyen Dan’ (Lunar New Year Festival) |
One of the most memorable moments at the opening ceremony of the exhibition was when female artist Nguyet Nga and her son — the main character featured in Nga’s artwork entitled ‘Ngay Tet Nguyen Dan’ (Lunar New Year Festival) in 1981 — stood next to the piece and spoke with the audience.
In Nga’s painted wooden relief carving, an innocent rosy-cheeked baby wearing a red cotton shirt and red shoes stood next to a pot of peach blossoms.
Nga, who turns 84 years old this year, said that the work captured her own son, who was only four years old at the time.
Looking at the artwork, she felt like she was reliving the memories of her passion for art and the past Tet seasons in the warmth and love of family.
In additional to introducing paintings, the organising board also utilises the combination of graphic techniques and 3D projection mapping to provide viewers with impressive visual effects and new experiences to explore the works on display.
“In the coming time, the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts will continue to take advantage of digital technology in promoting the value of artworks, especially national treasures, in order to bring them closer to the domestic and international public,” Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh emphasised.
The ‘Spring in Hanoi’ exhibition opens to the public until February 25, on the 1st floor of Building B, Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
