HCM CITY — Nearly 40 artworks created by children are on display at an exhibition in HCM City.

The exhibition is the result of the art contest We In Me 2023 launched by the Vietnam Contemporary Visual Arts Academy (VCVAA) – an institution founded by international artist and educator Thanh Bùi to nurture young Vietnamese artistic talents.

The contest, which was for children aged five to 18, attracted more than 200 entries.

Thanh Bùi said: “From the ancient times, through primitive drawings in caves, ancient people presented their desire to express their thoughts, observation, and feelings in the connection with the world.

"If we compare human thoughts as seeds, then their ability to present their thoughts through art forms can help those seeds to be planted and fructified. This will also create the diversity, making the world vivid and colourful.”

Guests at the exhibition We In Me, which showcased the best 38 pieces. — Photo courtesy of VCVAA

A total of 38 works of various forms including paintings, photo, ceramic and torn paper, have been selected to present to public until June 27.

Using different mediums such as watercolour, newspaper, synthetic, oil and acrylic, they all show vividly the creativeness and perspective of junior contestants about the multifaceted world.

“You don't have to be good at any art form and you don't have to be an artist or have any special skills to be able to express yourself through art," Thanh Bùi added.

"The most important thing is to keep an open mind towards creativity in daily life. This will allow you and others to have opportunity to interact with art.”

He said that 38 pieces featured in the exhibition are 38 different perspectives and stories by the children, who are representative of the young generation.

Educator Thanh Bùi presents certificates to junior artists who has their works featured at the We In Me exhibition. — Photo courtesy of VCVAA

All the art at the exhibition will be put up for auction to raise funds for the We In Me Foundation, which supports community art projects, promoting creativity and social responsibility among the young generation.

We In Me is expected to be an annual art contest for children.

The artworks will be presented to public until June 27 at the VCVAA, located within the HCM City’s Youth Cultural House, 4 Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street, District 1.

Born and raised in Australia, Thanh Bùi started his music career in 2004 and was a top eight finalist in the Australian Idol programme in 2008.

In 2010, he returned to Việt Nam and became a famous singer with many hits. He since has been investing in advanced educational models and collaborating with international partners in education.

His Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy has laid a foundation for creative education with the help of his partners in Asia Music & Performing Arts Education, the first NGO in the arts. He has also diversified through the founding of the Embassy Education that inspire each student to discover their unique voice, potential, future path and to be the best version of themselves.

Children draw at the Vietnam Contemporary Visual Arts Academy, an institution founded by international artist and educator Thanh Bùi to nurture young artistic talents. — Photo courtesy of VCVAA

His Vietnam Institute for Arts Education (VIA Education) supplies art schools across the country with international-standard textbooks by prestigious examination boards which offer graded and diploma qualifications across a range of disciplines in the performing arts learning and teaching.

In April, he founded the Special Em’s Education Centre (SEEC) to supply a proper educational environment that can provide early and comprehensive intervention, stimulating curiosity and observation to improve social skills for children with autism.

Earlier, the North London Collegiate School HCM City, also founded by him, announced a scholarship programme worth US$1million for talented yet disadvantaged children in Việt Nam. — VNS