A sculpture by artist Nguyễn Tư in 1965. VNS Photos Nguyễn Bình

HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam Fine Art Museum is showing selected artworks from the modern art collection at an exhibition in downtown Hà Nội.

The exhibition entitled Tình Quân Dân (The Bond Between the Army and the People) introduces over 50 works of art of different genres and mediums.

Most of them were created during the national resistance wars against France and the US, highlighting the bond between the army and the people.

"The displayed paintings are emotional," said Vương Duy Biên, deputy chairman of Việt Nam Union of Arts and Literature Associations at the exhibition's opening ceremony.

"The paintings are made by artists full of emotion at battles. They have historic and artistic value which we need to respect."

The great support and shelter from people are vividly depicted in such works as lacquer paintings Gathering by Nguyễn Hiêm in 1954 or Night At The Rear Area by Hoàng Tích Chù in 1966.

Notably, the image of President Hồ Chí Minh, the symbol of national solidarity, was impressively portrayed in the 1969 oil on canvas painting titled Uncle Hồ Visiting the Hồ Tây Artillery Unit by Nguyễn Kao Thương.

Equally important are beautiful and emotional works created in peacetime, reflecting the artists’ memories of wartime as well as the traditional bonds between soldiers and people.

These include the woodcut Welcoming Soldiers To The Village by Cao Trọng Thiềm in 1984, the silk painting Preparing Meals in The Trường Sơn Highlands by female painter Vũ Giáng Hương in 1994, the terracotta sculpture An Afternoon in The Air Defence Battlefield by Nguyễn Xuân Thành in 1981 and so on.

"I'm moved to see the paintings at this exhibition because many artists sacrificed in wartime and passed away," said sculptor Thành. "It is great to see again my work after 40 years in the museum collection. It is really happy for me because I think that an artwork needs to be seen by the public."

Sculptor Nguyễn Xuân Thành made An Afternoon in The Air Defence Battlefield in 1981.

The exhibition The Bond between the Army and the People not only appreciates the warm sentiment between soldiers and people and national unity, but also enhances the understanding of today's young generation of the past as well as the history of the People’s Army of Việt Nam, according to museum director Nguyễn Anh Minh.

The exhibition aims to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory of Hà Nội – Điện Biên Phủ in the Air and the 78th anniversary of the founding of the People's Army of Việt Nam. It runs until December 30 at 66 Nguyễn Thái Học Street. VNS