Artists auction paintings to raise funds for COVID-19 hospitals
More than 100 artists and art collectors participated recently in a painting auction to raise funds for
HCM CITY — An exhibition showcasing art works by more than 100 painters and sculptors across Viet Nam is being held virtually to raise funds to support needy people in HCM City.
The exhibition Cay Đời Mãi Xanh (Evergreen Life) is curated by artist Ngo Trần Vũ of HCM City, the founder of Gieo Gạo (Growing Rice) Fund.
It displays nearly 250 works, including wooden sculptures and oil, lacquer, and watercolour paintings. They feature surrealist, abstract, semi-abstract and impressionistic styles.
Themes of the works are the beauty of the country, women, lifestyle, culture, and portraits. Still-life paintings are also featured.
The highlights of the exhibition are works by famous painters like Le Triều Điển, Bui Trọng Dư, Đặng Đình Ngỡ and Nguyễn Tấn Phat.
Self-taught painter Le Triều Điển, 78, brings to the exhibition an abstract painting called Chau Thổ (Delta) which he created this year.
Born in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta of province of Bến Tre, Điển moved to HCM City in 1986 to pursue an arts career.
He is a member of the Viet Nam Fine Arts Association and has won several top prizes at national fine art competitions.
He has had nearly 20 solo and group exhibitions at home and abroad.
His exhibitions in Paris and Singapore in 1991 and 1992 introduced aspects of southern Viet Nam’s traditional culture and lifestyle.
Điển is also a founder of the Mekong Art Club, which connects artists in HCM City and the Mekong Delta region.
The showcase includes the lacquer painting Chiều He (Summer Afternoon) by Bui Trọng Dư of Hải Phòng City, who has exhibited in the US and France.
Sculptor Nguyễn Tấn Phat of Ha Noi introduces some of his wooden sculptures engraved with lacquer, such as Tĩnh (Zen), Lưu Giữ Bạc Mau (Keeping Time), and Chậm Bưoc (Slowing Down).
Around 50 - 100 per cent of the profits from the painting sales will go to the Gieo Gạo Fund to buy rice and food for the needy in HCM City.
As of August 9, the fund had raised nearly VNĐ1,21 billion (US$52,770), and had donated 3,359 packages of rice and food worth VNĐ500,000 ($22) each.
“Through the exhibition, we hope to give away more rice and food to poor families living in HCM City,” said Vũ. "We want to spread kindness among the community, especially among artists and art lovers who want to help those in need."
The exhibition is raising funds until August 31.
All exhibited works can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/ngotranvublog. VNS
