The exhibition brings together more than 50 works in a variety of genres and materials, including oil painting, lacquer, silk, gouache and pencil, encompassing painting, graphic art and sculpture on the theme of national construction.
Artists travelled across the country, from factories and industrial facilities to construction sites and state farms, and from the lowlands to mountainous areas, vividly capturing the spirit and atmosphere of productive labour among people from all walks of life.
Nguyen Anh Minh, Director of the Viet Nam National Fine Arts Museum, said that fine arts heritage is like a repository of the nation’s visual memory. Each work is a legacy of its era, helping preserve historical, cultural and artistic values and enabling audiences today and in the future to gain a deeper understanding of the past, cherish the present and look towards the future.
In works depicting productive labour and national construction in agriculture and rural areas, artists offered vivid and authentic portrayals.
During the years when the north was both defending itself and rebuilding the country, artists vividly portrayed the spirit of solidarity in labour and production, with all efforts directed towards supporting the southern front.
That strength and steely determination were further forged as the north entered the period of industrialisation. Artists also vividly portrayed the beauty of labour in a new era through bold, vigorous lines and the blue uniforms of workers.
The beauty of productive labour across generations and social groups was also vividly captured by numerous painters and sculptors.
In particular, the Vietnamese people’s eagerness to learn is portrayed as a cherished cultural quality.
“The exhibition is not only a journey back through historical memories, but also an opportunity to honour the enduring values of the nation. A love of labour, dedication and the noble qualities of the Vietnamese people are values that have always been preserved and passed down through generations. At the same time, the exhibition seeks to inspire pride, a sense of responsibility and the aspiration to continue working together to build a developed and strong Viet Nam rich in cultural identity,” said Director of the Viet Nam National Fine Arts Museum Nguyen Anh Minh.
