REGIONAL TALENT - The “Vietnam – Indonesia Exchange Art Exhibition 2023” showcases 64 art works by 17 Vietnamese artists and 11 Indonesian artists, and is open at the HCM City Fine Arts Association until August 13. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HCM CITY — Vietnamese and Indonesian artists are displaying their paintings and sculptures at a joint exhibition at the HCM City Fine Arts Association.

The event, entitled “Vietnam – Indonesia Exchange Art Exhibition 2023”, showcases 64 art works by 17 Vietnamese artists and 11 Indonesian artists.

On display are mostly paintings in various materials and styles such as impressionism, abstract and realism.

The paintings feature a wide range of topics such as the landscapes and people of Việt Nam and Indonesia, climate change, environmental protection, and aspirations for peace.

Through the works, the artists also share their inner feelings and thoughts of the world, love, family and society.

Among the paintings, the exhibition showcases a group of ceramic statues of Bodhidharma in different sizes and styles by Vietnamese sculpture Nguyễn Văn Trung, who has a strong passion for Buddhist art.

Nguyễn Xuân Tiên, the association’s chairman, said, “It is the first time the association organises a joint exhibition featuring Vietnamese and Indonesian artists. It marks the collaboration in fine arts between the two countries.”

He added despite the differences in styles and culture, all artists are focused on same topics of climate change, war and peace, and people and society, making their works retain both national and epochal characteristics.

Tiên said "Through the art works, the artists bring colleagues, friends, family, and art lovers into their inner world. This is a magical world of Vietnamese and Indonesia art and an aspiration for values of “chân – thiện – mỹ” (the true, the good and the beautiful)."

He hoped more exhibitions among Việt Nam, Indonesia and countries in the region would be held to introduce unique art works to art lovers, as well as contribute to the art development of each country and the region.

Heri Kristanto, an artist from Indonesia, said his colleagues and he were excited to join the exhibition in HCM City. It was an opportunity for artists of both countries to meet and share their experiences and skills.

He expected to have more exchange art exhibitions between the two countries in the future. “We are ready to welcome Vietnamese artists to Indonesia next year,” he said.

The exhibition will close on August 13. The association is at 218A Pasteur Street in District 3. — VNS