The fourth ASEAN Graphic Painting Competition and Exhibition has been launched in Hà Nội. Regional artists are encouraged to submit their works for high prizes. — Photo cand.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) has launched the fourth ASEAN Graphic Painting Competition and Exhibition in Hà Nội.

The event is an exchange opportunity for Vietnamese and regional artists to interact and show off innovative achievements in graphic art. At the same time they can introduce those from different places to their own country's unique culture and community.

Aside from enhancing the solidarity of ASEAN nations, the exhibition is also a meaningful artistic activity, allowing the Vietnamese public to enjoy selected graphic works of art from contemporary ASEAN artists.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mã Thế Anh, Director of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition said: "The MCST successfully organised three graphic painting competitions and exhibitions for ASEAN countries in 2012, 2016 and 2020.

"This is an international print or painting exhibition held every four years in Việt Nam that aims to attract, develop and exchange art by artists in the ASEAN region, creating a playground for the graphic arts and promoting the development of art circles in ASEAN countries."

He said following the success of previous exhibitions, the MCST has decided to continue the event in 2024, to help develop and raise the standard of graphic art, supporting local artists in exchanging new experiences and techniques with other artists in ASEAN.

The competition will help position Việt Nam in the field of culture and arts and support the development of fine arts in the region.

Citizens of ASEAN countries are allowed to take part in the event. Entries can be works of art depicting life, people or natural landscapes, or on the themes of peace, solidarity, cooperation, friendship, views of contemporary life or common interests that ASEAN countries share.

Contestants can send their work in the following categories: embossed paintings (wood, rubber, and cover engraving and other embossing techniques); concave paintings (metal, mica, transparent film, photosensitive concave engraving, and collagraph); flat painting (lithography, litho on metal, litho on wood); cross art paintings (screen printing, stencil printing); monotype paintings; paintings with other techniques (cyanotype or blue print, digital prints); and multi-dimensional paintings (installation, book art, and multi-layer painting).

Entries must be recently made, from 2020 until now. Each participant can send a maximum of three pieces. Each artwork should be in a JPG format file, accompanied by a text file containing information about the author and artwork.

The competition has two rounds. In round 1, authors send photo files of their submitted works to the organising committee at aseangraphicarts2024@gmail.com up to August 5. The committee will then select artwork for display in the exhibition.

In round 2, artists who were selected in round 1 send their artwork to the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, 38 Cao Bá Quat Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội, Việt Nam, for further judgment and for a chance to win prizes.

The organizing committee plans to award one first prize, three second prizes, five third prizes, and seven consolation prizes to artists with excellent pieces. — VNS