Q: Could you share a bit about your creative journey and what you most wish to convey through your sculptures?
A: I have worked with materials such as stone, bronze, aluminum, wood, composite, and lacquer to breathe life into my sculptures—though I work most frequently with stone. I have had the fortune of creating several large-scale monuments, including two national-level projects: the “Vietnamese Heroic Mother” Monument and the “Legend of Truong Son” Monument.
Each monument tells a historical story, which I express through the language of stone sculpture. For smaller stone works, I often use soft Mable stone with natural veining to enrich the texture and emotion of the sculpture.
Q: The Monument dedicated to the Vietnamese Heroic Mother—an enormous sculptural ensemble inspired by Mother Nguyen Thi Thu—is considered one of your most significant works. Could you tell us about the creative process and the emotions behind it?
A: This piece holds my entire heart and soul, a tribute to the extraordinary figure of the Vietnamese Heroic Mother. For nearly a decade, I dedicated a major part of my life to these Heroic Mothers, in search of the most beautiful and noble essence to bring into the work.
Through tireless effort and unwavering passion for honouring these women, I transformed massive granite blocks into a majestic symphony dedicated to mothers—their sacrifice and devotion to the nation. I am truly fulfilled knowing that this piece resonates not only with many Vietnamese people, but also with international friends around the world.
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| “The Era of Rise” – a contemporary sculpture by Dinh Gia Thang. |
Q: Every sculpture tells a story and conveys a message. Why did you choose to dedicate yourself to sculpture?
A: Sculpture appeals to me because it’s a multidimensional art form—viewable and appreciable from every angle. This is especially true for monumental sculpture. Sculpture possesses symbolic power that endures through centuries, with its capacity to command space and evoke strong emotions. In every work I create, my message is consistent: the current generation must never forget those who gave their blood and lives so that Viet Nam could gain independence, freedom, and the promising future we have today.
During 45 years of unwavering dedication to my arts, I find happiness in creation. When a monument is completed, I realise that the soul of the nation has been distilled into that piece.
Q: You have recently completed the sculpture “The Era of Rise” for the exhibition “50 Years of Da Nang – Aspiration to Rise.” Can you tell us more about the work?
A: I poured my energy into “The Era of Rise” piêc. It is a contemporary sculpture in cast aluminum, measuring 125 cm high, 95 cm long, and 95 cm wide. Through the language of modern sculpture, using aluminum alloy and forms that symbolise movement and breakthrough, I aimed to awaken the spirit of aspiration in Vietnamese youth, encouraging them to devote their talents and will to the nation. It is a breath of fresh air, brimming with boundless energy.
Thank you very much!
Sculptor Dinh Gia Thang was born in 1957 in Ha Noi and currently lives and works in Da Nang. He graduated from the Ha Noi University of Fine Arts (now the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts) in the 1975–1980 academic year.
