HÀ NỘI A woodblock print entitled Đánh Cắp Giấc Mơ (Stealing the Dream) has earned Nguyễn Khắc Hân a Việt Nam Fine Arts Association Award 2019.

The work, measuring 100cm by 210cm, includes three pieces featuring a man with his face covered and many people lying in the background.

DEEP: Visitors appreciate Nguyễn Khắc Hân's award-winning work. Photo baovanhoa.vn

“Every child has many dreams and their parents also dream about them,” said Hân. “I think that when people see my work they will have their own thoughts and they will answer what the dream is about and who steals the dream.”

Hân was inspired by his children and his wishes for them.

Hân graduated from Việt Nam University of Fine Arts’s Graphics Department. He found his path to create woodblock prints in his fourth year of study, with pieces that reach a professional level of both ideological content and aesthetic form.

After graduation, he specialised in black and white woodblock prints inspired by social issues.

The artist won the gold medal at the National Fine Arts Festival 2015 and second prize at the 2nd ASEAN Graphic Art Competition.

“Different prizes encourage me to work harder,” said Hân.

Prizes at the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association Awards 2019 also went to Cù Kao Khải, Hà Phước Duy and Lê Thị Thanh.

Khải’s sculpture Cưới Chuột (Mouse Wedding) took second prize. He was the 2017 association award-winner.

Long An-based Duy picked up third prize for his lacquer painting entitled Đồng Trưa (Field at Noon). In the painting, the field is dry and the ground is cracked.

“There is a thin line between life and death,” said Duy, a graduate from the HCM City College of Fine Arts’ Painting Faculty. 

LIFE AND DEATH: Lacquer painting Đồng Trưa by Hà Phước Duy. — Photo courtesy of the artist

The artworks were announced at ceremony held on Friday in Hà Nội to honour artworks by artists nationwide.

The artworks were displayed at exhibitions held during August in regions including the north, central, Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and the south.

Art researchers Lê Quốc Bảo and Nguyễn Đăng Dũng from Hà Nội won awards for their books entitled Mỹ Thuật Hiện Đại Việt Nam Từ Góc Nhìn Giảng Dạy, Nghiên Cứu, Phê Bình Mỹ Thuật (Việt Nam Fine Arts – Teaching, Researching and Critic) and Nghệ Nhân Họa Sỹ Nguyễn Đăng Sần và Dòng Tranh Dân Gian Đông Hồ (Artist Nguyễn Đăng Sần and Đông Hồ Folk Painting). — VNS