Vietnamese sculpture isjoining the flow of regional and international fine art. The trend hasbeen reflected at the on-going fifth National Sculpture Exhibition inHanoi.
Organised every decade, the presentexhibition which runs until January 5 at the Hanoi Museum is the biggestin its 50-year history. Nearly 700 artworks by 352 artists weresubmitted to the judges, and 286 works were selected for display.
According to Head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography andExhibition Vi Kien Thanh the latest exhibition is a great developmentcompared to exhibition 10 years ago.
"The large numberof artists and artworks who entered the event showed strongercreativity," Thanh said. "In addition, most competitors are aged between30 and 35, and their vitality shows.
"Many of theartworks reflect the influence of the international contemporaryfine-arts scene. It can be said, Vietnamese sculpture has taken a longstep in the international integration process."
However, Thanh and other members of the judging panel board could notfind any artwork that satisfied all their requirements for first prize.
"It should be the one that presents the trend of regional andinternational fine arts, at the same time it must display its Vietnamorigins," Thanh said.
The 20-million VND (nearly1,000 USD) second prizes were given to the "Lop vo" (The Cover) by TranVan An and the "Chuyen que" (Village Story) by Ku Kao Khai.
Four third prizes were given to the "Tuoi tho" (Childhood) by Ha ManhChien, "Doi mat" (The Eyes) by Nguyen Van Huy, "Khoang trong" (EmptySpace) by Huynh Thanh Phu, and "Lat cat" (Slice) by Phan Van Tien.
Artworks by 15 other artists also were awarded Encouragement Prizes.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sportsand Tourism, Vuong Duy Bien said: "The National Sculpture Exhibitionshowcase the creativeness and development of Vietnamese sculpture.
"Many of the sculptures on display are inspired by modern social issues," he added.
The artists used a wide range of materials in their works, includingwood, plastic, stainless steel, glass, composite, bronze, and even waterpipes.
Among hundreds of visitors was John Niclsen, the Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, who said the exhibition was worth seeing.
"I was fascinated by many impressive and beautiful creations," a local visitor said.
A workshop was held together with the exhibition. It was attended byseveral famous sculptors, art critics, and cultural authorities.
Tpoic discussed at the workshop including The Relation BetweenSculpture and Other Art Forms in Vietnam, Vietnamese Sculpture inRegional and International Integration, Sculpture and City Landscape inVietnam.-VNA
