HCM CITY — Nearly 80 oil canvas paintings by poet Lê Thị Kim and her son artist Nguyễn Trọng Hiếu are on sale at the HCM Fine Arts Association to raise funds for underprivilleged children. 

The exhibition--Âm Thanh Từ Lồng Ngực Trái (Sound From Heart)--is Hiếu’s first ever, and it focuses on images of woman. It took two years to organise the exhibition. 

"I have had many exhibitions in Việt Nam and abroad, but this is very special for 23-year-old son," said Kim, a member of HCM Writers Association’s Committee and the former head of Ngân Hà female artist club. 

Kim drew 44 paintings dedicated to her favourite women, including her mother, sisters and friends. Many of the painting showcase bright colours and young girls.

"I want to depict the feminine beauty of long neck", because it expresses a woman’s desire to overcome hardship in daily life to have a better life and to be true, good and beautiful," said poet Kim. "It is not only a beautiful appearance but also an inner shine."

Kim was inspired by one of her friends to paint a series entitled Em Lạc Giữa Thiên Hà (Lost in Milky Way). The 100cm by 100cm paintings express optimism. The paintings sold out at the exhibition’s opening ceremony last week.

Through the Hoa Cỏ Mùa Xuân (Flowers in Spring) series, Kim wants to convey a message of bravery in confronting life’s difficulties to see a light at the end of tunnel.

The mother’s will and energy inspired her son, the young artist Hiếu. His father died when he was 5 years old, and he went on crutches early in life. His widowed-mother taught him to draw his first paintings.

Hiếu is showing about 35 paintings at the exhibition, including his first oil-on canvas painting entitled Mắt Biếc (Blue Eyes), which he created in 2012. 

"I love my mother’s big eyes, and I portrayed her from one her photo," Hiếu said. "I painted her hair with rainbow colours that represent the ups and downs she had to experience in her life." Hiếu makes his mother’s eyes limpid and serene in the portrait. 

"The painting is not for sale, because it is meaningful to me. I just want to show it to express my love for my mother. She is a great mother," said Hiếu. "I’m happy with my first exhibition, and I also want to thank my friends and the people who helped me organise the exhibition. It enables me to aid underprivilleged children".

The Sound From Heart exhibition will run until December 12 at 218A Pasteur Road, District 1. — VNS