HCM CITY — More than 150 paintings, graphic works, engraved works and sculptures by art students nationwide are on display at the HCM City Fine Arts Association.

Themed “Việt Nam Quê Hương Tôi” (Việt Nam - My Beloved Country), the second national exhibition for art students is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Lê Thị Thu Hiền, chairwoman of the ministry’s training department, said at the exhibition ceremony on Saturday: “The show aims to encourage art students to create quality works and discover new talents. It also aims to reflect the teaching quality of fine arts schools as well as students’ knowledge and skills.”

Launched in March, the exhibition attracted 350 entries from students at 20 art schools, colleges and universities across the country.

The works are made from a variety of media, including acrylic, silk, lacquer, wood, iron, cooper and ceramics.

They reflect a wide range of topics, covering the country’s landscapes, culture, people and daily life.

At the opening ceremony, the organisers gave 45 top prizes for best works.

They included Street Warriors, an oil painting by Lê Quỳnh Anh of Việt Nam Fine Arts University, Ban Công (Balcony), a lacquer painting by Nguyễn Trát Thanh Trúc of HCM City Fine Arts University, and Tuổi Thơ No 1 (Childhood No 1), a steel sculpture by Nguyễn Trường Giang of Việt Nam Fine Arts University.

Lê Văn Sửu, headmaster of the Việt Nam Fine Arts University and head of the jury, said: “This year, all winning works are high quality. They reflect the student’s professional skills, ideas and creation.”

Sửu said the students also transferred their thoughts on societal issues as well as the cause of nation-building, industrialisation, modernisation, and international integration.

The exhibition will end on September 30. The museum is at 97A Phó Đức Chính in District 1. — VNS