A painting of Luu Cu Temple by Nguyen Thanh Vu. The temple today is a relic in Tra Vinh province. The exhibition, entitled Ky An Viet Nam (Mysterious Vietnam), has beenorganised by the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies incollaboration with the Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre. It isalso the first art exhibition to ever be held within the special national relic.
It introduces to the public the first 20 artworks of 27-year-old HCMC-basedpainter Nguyen Thanh Vu.
The oil paintings of different sizes depict many famous heritages andlandscapes from the north to the south of the country, such as Lung Cu FlagPole, St Joseph's Cathedral, Bao Thien Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral inHCM City.
Besides familiar architectural works that still exist today, visitors can alsosee some of Vu’s more unfamiliar painting or ones that have gone intohistorical documents like the Luu Cu Temple in the southern province of TraVinh, that existed during Oc Eo Culture (1st-7th century).
According to the painter, the Vietnamese people have created many uniquearchitectural works with national history, each of which is imbued with timeimprints and historical mysteries.
“However, such wonderful stories have neither been known nor thoroughlyunderstood by many. The existence of Ca Lau Citadel or the secrets of Luu Curelic might not be known and that’s why Mysterious Vietnam was born,” he said.
Sharing with Tien Phong (Vanguard)newspaper, Vu said he had nurtured the idea of creating a collection of artworksthat showcase the typical architectural, heritage and geographical features of Vietnamfor a long time.
He embarked on the realisation of his idea in June 2021 when the COVID-19pandemic broke out and finished the final touch on the final painting of thisexhibition at the end of this March.
Pursuing Post-Impressionism, Vu wishes to convey a strong vitality, enthusiasmas well as youth and peace through his works.
According to Le Xuan Kieu, director of Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam Culture andScience Centre, Mysterious Vietnam is expected to spread the fond interest inthe ancestors' legacy among the youth.
“I highly welcome the creativity of young people on the basis of the legacythat the ancestors have worked hard to nourish and pass down on. This exhibitionis hoped to inspire the youth with positive energy and creativity so therewould be more compositions with diverse perspectives on the nation's heritagewould be created in the future,” he noted.
Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Director of the Vietnam NationalInstitute of Culture and Arts Studies, assessed that the 20 exhibited worksdepicting Vietnam’s cultural resources and heritage with the artist’senthusiasm and creativity also demonstrate Vietnamese cultural identity and alively Vietnam.
Vu also expressed his hope to continue to set out on more trips to learn moreabout the heritages and extend Mysterious Vietnam.
The exhibition will conclude on May 30./.
VNA
