Visitors view watercolour artworks exhibited at Màu Nước Phương Nam (Southern Watercolour) exhibition. Photo courtesy of the Temple of Literature.

HÀ NỘI — Daily life, culture, heritage and natural scenery in the southern part of Việt Nam are depicted in watercolour paintings exhibited at the Temple of Literature in Hà Nội.

The exhibition, entitled Màu Nước Phương Nam (Southern Watercolour), displays 105 watercolours by 20 painters from southern provinces, via which the visitors could feel their love for their hometown, local people and country.

Artist Hồ Hưng, the head of the Watercolour Painting Club in Hồ Chí Minh City, portrays the peacefulness of a boat resting on a canal in Con Nước Xuống (Low Tide) or a mountain range fading into the evening mist in Ngày Muộn (Late Afternoon).

Meanwhile, artist Đoàn Quốc captures the hustle and bustle of HCM City in Nắng Sài Gòn (Sài Gòn’s Sunlight) and Sài Gòn Đêm Xuống (Sài Gòn by Night), or the solemnity of an ancient church is featured in Nhà Thờ Gỗ Kontum (Kontum Wooden Church) by painter Hồng Quân.

Nhà Thờ Gỗ Kontum (Kontum Wooden Church) by painter Hồng Quân.

One of the participating artists, Hồ Hưng said this is the first time that watercolour artists from the south have held a joint exhibition at the Temple of Literature.

“The exhibited paintings are just small fragments in the creative process of the artists," he said.

"Through the southern-inspired theme, the exhibition is expected to be a gift of emotions for art enthusiasts in Hà Nội in particular and across the nation in general.”

According to artist Nguyễn Chung Tín, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in the south, the artists wanted to share their emotions and works with the public and artists in the north. The event would create a venue for exchanging art and introducing diverse expressions of watercolours.

The Director of the Centre for Scientific and Cultural Activities of the Temple of Literature, Lê Xuân Kiêu, added that the organisers of Southern Watercolour wished to connect the creativity of southern painters with Hà Nội’s public.

The exhibition is also a combination of the ancient heritage - the Temple of Literature - with contemporary creative elements. It is a part of the centre’s efforts in transforming the heritage site into a creative space in the capital city.

Southern Watercolour will last until May 24. VNS

Nắng Bên Hiên Nhà (Sunshine by the House Veranda) by painter Hoàng Hồng.