HÀ NỘI – Indonesian and Vietnamese painters are displaying introspective works at a joint exhibition in Hà Nội until October 30.

Entitled "Contemporary Dialogue", the art exhibition features more than 40 modern paintings by 12 famous artists from the two countries.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Indonesian Ambassador Ibnu Hadi said, “I am happy to see collaboration between Indonesian and Vietnamese artists. It reflects long relations between the two countries, not only in politics, the economy and business but also in culture and the fine arts.”  

General Manager of Crowne Plaza West Hanoi, the exhibition’s host, said that Contemporary Dialogue is a space of freedom where Vietnamese and Indonesian artists meet, break taboos, and confront viewers with works of great emotional intensity.

“This is a special exhibition that features cultural diversity. All these artworks are inspired by emotionally pictorial language. The artworks are filled up with a spirit of openness, and their non-binding order brings about a successful ‘Contemporary Dialogue’,” Vietnamese artist Tào Linh, whose works are on display, said.

For Indonesian painter Hadi Soesanto, who has travelled to Việt Nam a few times to display his work, the exhibition is a chance to create connection with local artists.

“For me, it doesn’t matter if visitors purchase my paintings or not. It’s more important that we can establish a link among regional and international artists,” he said.

For Indonesian artist Erica Hestu Wahyuni, the exhibition is “for friendship”, as she has joined her longtime Vietnamese friend – painter Nguyễn Ngọc Đan – to unveil her latest paintings.

“We were roommates when we studied at the V. Surikov Moscow State Academy Art Institute, and we’ve been close friends for over a decade,” she said.

Although Wahyuni has visited Việt Nam several times, this is the first time she has presented her work here.

Wahyuni fell in love with Việt Nam right in the first time she visited the country, and she hopes to open a solo exhibition in HCM City next year.

“Whenever I’m here [in Việt Nam], I feel Vietnamese. I love this country and I want to show my art here,” she said.     

The exhibition is at the Crowne Plaza West Hanoi, 36 Lê Đức Thọ Street, Từ Liêm District. – VNS