'Cá Gỗ' (Wooden Fishes) by Hồ Thị Ngoan features generational connection and the tradition of education through a folk tale. — Photo courtesy of the artist

HÀ NỘI — A set of three outstanding artworks themed Cá Gỗ (Wooden Fishes), which takes a folk tale to highlight generational connection and the tradition of education, has won this year's prestigious Nguyễn Phan Chánh Award.

Created this year by Hồ Thị Ngoan, a student of silk painting at the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts (VNUFA), the paintings have surpassed dozens of selected works to win the award and are being displayed with 21 others at the university at 42 Yết Kiêu Street in Hà Nội city centre until Sunday.

Along with the award, four Nguyễn Phan Chánh scholarships have also been bestowed on outstanding silk painting students at an awards ceremony held on Friday at VNUFA.

VNUFA Principal and Associate Professor Dr Ngô Tuấn Phong (left) and representatives of Writer Nguyệt Tú's family congratulate Hồ Thị Ngoan – the author of the winning artwork 'Cá Gỗ'. — VNS Photo

The Nguyễn Phan Chánh Award and Scholarships are sponsored and maintained annually by the family of the late writer Nguyệt Tú, following her final wishes. The writer was the eldest daughter of the renowned artist and silk painting master Nguyễn Phan Chánh (1892-1984).

Held by the VNUFA in collaboration with Tú's family, the award and scholarships aim not only to serve, honour and perpetuate the legacy of the master artist but also to act as a launchpad for talented young artists at the VNUFA, according to organisers.

They also aim to honour young artistic talents while motivating students to pursue their studies, conduct research and dedicate themselves to traditional silk painting.

Speaking at the ceremony on Friday, VNUFA Principal and Associate Professor Dr Ngô Tuấn Phong highlighted the meaning of the award and scholarships, as well as the support of Tú's family to generations of VNUFA students.

"The award and scholarships have shown not only support to students, but also love, responsibility and continuity of Việt Nam's fine arts, through which they encourage students to study, research and create while discovering and honouring young art talents," he said.

'Chạm Tới' (Reaching) by Nguyễn Thuý Vy is one of the selected works being displayed at VNUFA. The silk painting depicts a small squirrel hanging from a tree, stretching its body toward a green fruit. — Photo courtesy of the artist

The VNUFA principal also emphasised the contribution of Chánh in developing Vietnamese silk painting, an art language rich in cultural identity with enduring heritage value.

Nguyễn Quang Bắc, a representative from Tú's family, expressed his thanks to the VNUFA for organising the awards to fulfil his mother's wishes.

He revealed the award's art council had agreed to expand it to fine arts universities in HCM City and Huế starting in 2028.

Each year, the family provides total funding of VNĐ100 million (US$3,800) for the award and scholarships.

The winning author and her works. — VNS

Chánh pioneered Vietnamese silk painting, gaining worldwide acclaim for his work Chơi Ô Ăn Quan (Playing Ô Ăn Quan, a traditional board game) at the 1931 Paris Exhibition.

Throughout his life, he remained dedicated to the silk medium and the depiction of women in their daily activities and labour, creating notable works such as Rửa Rau Cầu Ao (Washing Vegetables at the Pond), Lên Đồng (Spirit Medium Ritual) and Em Bé Bên Chú Chim (Child With a Bird).

During the 1930s and 1940s, his silk paintings were exhibited in cities including Milan, Italy, Tokyo, Japan and San Francisco, the US.

The presentation of the Nguyễn Phan Chánh Award and Scholarships confirms the spirit of carrying forward the legacy of national fine arts and supporting young talents on their path to professional artistic practice, organisers said. — VNS