By Phương Mai

HCM CITY – The HCM City Fine Arts Association for years has organised numerous programmes and exhibitions to help young artists from the city and southern provinces to develop their skills and career.

The association’s most notable programme is the Biennale Art Exhibition for Young Artists, first held in 2009. The event discovers new faces Việt Nam’s fine arts, and introduces their work to the public.

The association has opened a call for this year’s event themed “The New Spirit”, targeting amateur and professional artists aged 18-45. Submissions include paintings, sculptures, installation works, and graphic works.

The works will be selected by an arts council composed of the country’s well-known artists who are members of the association, the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association and the HCM City University of Fine Arts.

The selected works will be displayed at an exhibition at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum later next month.

During the 2017 Biennale Art Exhibition for Young Artists, 145 artworks by 107 Vietnamese artists from 15 cities and provinces, such as HCM City, Hà Nội, Bình Dương and Cần Thơ, were on display. All of the works reflected contemporary issues and Vietnamese landscapes and people.

The organisers awarded the first prize for an installation Những Đôi Mắt Phù Sa (Creatures in the Mekong River) to Nguyễn Phương Quyên, Trần Thị Sương and Nguyễn Ngọc Giang Thanh, students at Hoa Sen University.

The work consisted of several eyes made of water hyacinth and yellow lights depicting the eyes of creatures in the Mekong River, seeking ways to return to nature. The group used tài tử music in their work to make it stand out.

Quyên said: “Many young artists find it difficult to exhibit their work. We need help from the association and local authorities to popularise our art and our thoughts about life.”

Phố Dây (City of Wire), a sculpture made of steel wire that reflects the busy life of a modern city was created by young artist Trần Việt Hà during a sculpture symposium organised by the HCM City Fine Arts Association last year. — VNS Photo Phương Mai

Nguyễn Trung Tín, head of the event’s art council, said the programme was a chance for young artists to showcase their abilities and talent.

"We have seen their maturity and skills through these events,” he said.

The association holds field trips in different parts of the country and art camps annually to encourage young artists to discover new places and find inspiration for new work.

Last year, the association organised a sculpture symposium in the city, attracting 20 members and three non-members from the South. Half of them were young artists.

Twenty-nine works were introduced after the three-month symposium, featuring new topics and materials.

Trần Việt Hà, who graduated from the city’s Fine Arts University two years ago, showcased his sculpture called Phố Dây (City of Wire). He spent a few months making his work, featuring bunches of steel wire to reflect the busy life of a modern city.

Phố Dây brought Hà the prize for best work at the association’s annual major exhibition to celebrate National Day, which opened at the city’s Fine Arts Museum last August.

Hà said that field trips and art camps were necessary for artists “to change their feelings and seek new topics to produce more quality work”.

Veteran artist Nguyễn Trung Tín (left), head of the Fine Art Association’s arts council, and the council’s members select the best sculptures created during the sculpture symposium. — VNS Photo Phương Mai

“They are where young artists like me work with and learn from experienced artists such as Uyên Huy, Nguyễn Trung Tín, Ca Lê Thắng, Lê Xuân Chiểu, Siu Quý, and Bùi Hải Sơn.”

“Thanks to the association, we have opportunities to create quality work and showcase them to the public,” he added.

Uyên Huy, chairman of the association, said apart from major programmes, the association has organised dozens of small exhibitions every year at its headquarters on Pasteur Street in District 3. The exhibitions showcase art works by members of its clubs.

Art exchange and joint exhibitions with local art clubs and others from France, Thailand, South Korea and Japan have also been held at the association.

The events offered opportunities for young artists to learn from each other as well as from local and foreign experienced artists.

Huy said: “The meetings with veteran members, field trips and exhibitions, and the sincere comments young artists received on their works, are extremely valuable and help them grow as professional artists.” — VNS