A nationwide fine arts exhibition focusing on the Armed Forces and Revolutionary War has opened at the Vietnam Museum of Military History in Hanoi. The exhibition displays 161 paintings, graphics and sculptures chosen from a nationwide call for new artworks created since 2005.
The organising board received 580 entries by more than 400 artists aged between 25 and 90 from all over the country.
War ended in Vietnam over 30 years ago, yet the theme of the Vietnamese army seems to continuously inspire artists.
"The call attracted many artists from a variety of different ages throughout the country to send their entries," says Trinh Ba Quat, member of the organising board. "Individual artistic expression is more obvious, while strictly representational figurative art has declined in popularity."
"Old artists still express their skills and spirit while the young have displayed their creativity," he remarks.
The combination of artistic form and generational perspectives has given the exhibition a collection rich in content. Endless creativity can be seen expressed through canvas, lacquer, silk, wood, aluminium, bronze, stone and composite.
Two paintings, Militia of Aleb Village by Doan Van Nguyen and Hanoi in December 1972 by Bui Anh Hung, were awarded with the A prizes, while eight works won B prizes, seven won C prizes and 12 other commendations were awarded.
The exhibition will run until the end of January, 2010 to mark the 64th anniversary of the foundation of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22) and the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam All People’s National Defence Day (December 22).