PHOTO DISPLAY: Visitors view photos at the exhibition called 'Thành Phố Tôi Yêu' (The City I Love) organised by the 32-year-old Hải Âu Club at the HCM City Women’s Cultural House. Photo courtesy of the club

By Phương Mai

The Hải Âu Club is well-known as one of the most famous photography clubs in Việt Nam where women photographers learn and improve their skills and present beautiful photos of the country and people to the public.

Founded in October 1990, the club consists of dozens of artists who are of all ages and working different jobs, but have a deep love for photography.

They are all affiliates of the HCM City Photography Association, and many of them have won local and international prizes.

“The club pulls women together as a family to share and showcase their works to art lovers,” said 77-year-old Đào Hoa Nữ, chairwoman of the Hải Âu Club, who won several top prizes at national and international photo competitions and festivals.

To celebrate its 32nd anniversary and the Việt Nam Women’s Day on October 20, the club recently held an exhibition called “Thành Phố Tôi Yêu” (The City I Love) at the HCM City Women’s Cultural House.

The exhibition showcased a collection of 54 photos taken by its 18 members, highlighting the history and development of the city.

The photos were selected from hundreds of images of the city's historical and cultural sites and achievements in all sectors, as well as the dynamic lives of its people.

Highlighted works included Ngày Hợp Hôn (Marriage Day) by Phạm Thị Thu, Thành Phố Tôi Yêu (The City I Love) by Kim Chi, and Đô Thị Sông Nước (Riverine City) by Nguyễn Thị Vân Tùng.

A THOUSAND WORDS: 'Thành Phố Tôi Yêu' (The City I Love), a photo by Kim Chi which is on display at the exhibition. Photo courtesy of the club

“These photos are of high quality and were shot by professional artists who wanted to show their love of life through their art. They capture the hearts of viewers," veteran photographer Đoàn Hoài Trung, chairman of the HCM City Photography Association, said.

Trung showed his admiration for the Hải Âu Club’s members and emphasized that, “they have travelled across the country for years to take quality photos which have competed at many prestigious international competitions.”

“They have strong solidarity and always help each other to improve skills,” he said.

Veterans such as Đào Hoa Nữ, Nguyễn Hồng Nga and Đoàn Thi Thơ, who hold the EFIAP title granted by the International Federation of Photographic Art for excellent photographers, are now major artists in the country’s photography community and teachers of young members.

The club has also organised 221 field trips across the country from landmarks in the north to the southernmost part of the country to help members relax and create new works.

Thanks to these trips, women artists have presented arts lovers hundreds of photos depicting the beauty of the country and its people’s life, especially focusing on women.

They have organised more than 110 solo and group exhibitions at home and abroad, as well as released photo books.

“The Hải Âu Club is like our second home where we can create works together, share stories about life and career, and encourage and help each other in daily life,” said photographer Nữ.

She added that the club had received huge support from the city's Women’s Cultural House, which provided them a place to showcase their works to the public.

“Apart from art creation, the club’s members also focus on helping society through charity activities such as selling photos and photobooks to raise funds for the poor and Agent Orange victims,” Nữ said

Photographer Trung said, “the Hải Âu Club has fulfilled its duty of connecting art to people of all walks of life.”

“Its members’ passion for photography has motivated photographers in the city to improve their skills and create better works,” he added. VNS

WOMEN TOGETHER: The Hải Âu Club, founded in 1990, attracts dozens of women photographers of all ages and working different jobs that have a deep love for photography. Photo courtesy of the club