The exhibition was organised by the organising committee of the 2026 “Festival For Peace.”
Born in Quang Tri, Le Ba Dang (1921–2015) left Viet Nam at a very young age and spent most of his creative life in France, but he never truly left his homeland behind in his art. As such, the exhibition’s organisation in Quang Tri, as part of the 2026 “Festival For Peace”, carries particular significance.
From memories of his homeland and war to explorations of people, nature, and space, the exhibition places his works in dialogue with the theme “Aspiration for peace”, offering a way to reflect on a journey from loss towards life and hope.
The exhibition features around 80 paintings and 40 sculptures, along with a selection of documents and photographs relating to the life and career of Le Ba Dang.
Of particular note are the sculptures that Le Ba Dang created from pieces of metal salvaged from the wreckage of B-52 aircraft. A material once associated with war has, through the artist’s hands, been transformed into another form of existence, providing a story for viewers to discover as they stand before the works.
Featuring works spanning different periods of his artistic career, the exhibition offers a relatively comprehensive overview of Le Ba Dang, a Vietnamese artist who established most of his career in France.
A significant portion of the works on display comes from the legacy preserved in France by Myshu Lebadang (real name Micheline Hai Nguyen), the artist’s life partner and companion for much of his life. The collection was subsequently taken over by his family, who have gradually brought the works back to Viet Nam for continued preservation, research, and public exhibition.
As part of the exhibition, the artist’s family has donated several works to the Quang Tri Museum, continuing the journey of bringing his art from the family sphere to the wider community.
The exhibition is open to the public through August 31, 2026.
