Lê Thị Kim Hạnh’s stone painting of President Hồ. Photo courtesy of the organiser

HCM CITY— An ongoing painting exhibition seeks to inspire love for one’s country and cherish the freedom that President Hồ Chí Minh fought for.  

The exhibition is part of cultural activities organised in HCM City to celebrate the late president’s 132 birth anniversary (May 19).

Held on the premises of the HCM City Fine Arts Association, the exhibition, Sống và Làm Việc Theo Tư Tưởng, Phong Cách và Đạo Đức Hồ Chí Minh (Live and Work According to President Hồ Chí Minh’s Ideology, Morality and Lifestyle), displays 43 paintings on different materials by veteran artists. 

The paintings capture President Hồ’s great leadership and remarkable ideas for achieving the country’s freedom and independence.

Among the artists featured are Nguyễn Đăng Khoát, Lê Thị Kim Hạnh and Lê Xuân Hiếu. 

Several of the paintings have Vietnamese women and children as well as aspects of traditional culture and lifestyle as their subjects. 

Artist Lê Xuân Hiếu’s series of three panel paintings, 'Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh Khúc Khải Hoàn' (HCM City - Song of Victory), released last year. It’s on display at an exhibition celebrating the 132nd birth anniversary (May 19) of President Hồ Chí Minh.

 Artist Hiếu’s series of three panel paintings called Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh Khúc Khải Hoàn (HCM City -- Song of Victory), released last year, shows President Hồ with fellow countrymen including soldiers.

“The paintings are very Vietnamese and strengthen our identification with the country,” said Đỗ Kim Thoa, a visitor who attended the May 11 opening ceremony.

Other highlighted works include Mặt Trời Của Mẹ (Mother’s Sun), a silk painting by Khoát that has an ethnic minority woman in her traditional attire with a baby in her hands, highlighting the beauty of Vietnamese people. 

Lê Thị Kim Hạnh’s latest stone painting is a portrait of President Hồ using black, white and light brown tones.

Hạnh, a member of HCM City Fine Arts Association, who has been painting for more than 20 years, said: “I hope viewers will gain new experiences and passion for the country and its ideals after visiting the exhibition on President Hồ. The common thread in the works on display is love for the country and people.” 

The May 11-20 exhibition opens at 9am to 6pm every day at 218A Pasteur Street, District 3. — VNS