HÀ NỘI — Visitors will have a chance to learn from lesbians’ stories through the photographs and videos on display in Exposure, a new exhibition at 42 Yết Kiêu Street.

The exhibition features photos, sound installations, photography, voice recordings, video, book art, stop motion images, paintings and sketches, all of which illustrate stories of more than 50 same-sex female relationships from seven provinces of northern Việt Nam. Some of them came out to compassion and support, but a majority still faces harsh prejudice, discrimination and even violence from school, family and community.

“When prejudice​ toward ​ethnic minority​ groups, violence victims, the​ disabled​ or ​LGBT community​ still exists​, people have to live in darkness​. It is time for those living in darkness to be celebrated in the light, to live with their true identity and express their love for their other halves,” said Director of the Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender-Family-Women and Adolescents (CSAGA), Nguyễn Vân Anh.

​"The event gives us an opportunity to share our stories. From how warmly received our artworks are today, I can see a bright future for us," said Trần Diệu Ly, a representative of the Women Love Women group, who implement the project under the guidance of artist Nguyễn Thế Sơn.

"I had the chance to meet and talk to those facing similar circumstances. Some are willing to come out and express their love for their friends, but others fail and have to hide their true identity. There are couples who were willing to share their stories and attend the exhibition, yet at the last minute, prejudice from family, school and those around forced them to quit," said Ly.

"I hope that visitors will understand more about our life, the struggle that we have been through. I hope visitors will invest their heart into every story and have compassion with u​s," said Ly. ​

Contemporary art allows people to expand their ability to use all the materials from art and real life, and it also helps stimulate unheard voices in a society full of prejudices, said artist Nguyễn Thế Sơn, who gave support for the project.

“This exhibition is full of the diverse voices, as diverse as life itself. Each and every work is a story from deep, hidden angles and corners of their souls, now given the chance to shine with dazzling lights,” said Sơn.

The project encompasses a 114-day journey, in which participants had the chance to share their touching stories, attend art workshops and create artworks to be exhibited at Exposure, which opens until March 2. — VNS