The new face of fine arts in Bac Giang

BAC GIANG - In recent years, art activities in Bac Giang have been developing rapidly. The province's artists are striving to improve the quality of their works, affirming their position and mark in Vietnamese art.

Novel and unique aspects in the composition

Looking back at the 50-year history of art in Bac Giang (1975-2025), significant progress is evident. The quantity and quality of artworks have increased; materials and styles have diversified, shifting from primarily using pigments on recycled newspaper to oil paints, lacquer, and silk. Sculpture, once mainly made of plaster and cement, has gradually moved towards bronze, stone, wood, aluminum, stainless steel, iron, and many new experimental forms. During the resistance war and the years following national reunification, the paintings of artists were largely used for propaganda and political campaigning to serve the Party and State's objectives. In recent years, the role of fine arts has gradually broadened. The public can clearly see a generation of artists eager to explore new forms of expression; ready to embrace new trends in their creative work and achieving considerable success.

The artwork of the artist from Bac Giang participated in the art exhibition in Hanoi .

Generations of renowned artists have made worthy contributions to the fine arts of Bac Giang . Currently, despite their advanced age, artists such as Ngo Xuan Thuan, Nguyen Duy Lap, Bui Ngoc Lan, Dao Xuan Duong… continue to create art and inspire younger generations. Middle-aged artists like Vu Cong Tri, Truong Dinh Huy, Truong Quang Hai, Nguyen Van Tinh, Ngo Dac Loi, Vu Minh Huong, Luu Xuan Khuyen, Nguyen Chi Huong… have also established and stabilized their personal styles in their works, possessing abundant creative energy and a powerful influence. A prime example is artist Nguyen Chi Huong, born in 1979, who works at the Department of Culture and Information of Son Dong District. He has created emotionally charged works conveying messages about preserving and promoting national cultural values.

Participating in the "Highland Stories" exhibition in Hanoi at the end of 2024, his artworks authentically reflect the daily life of people in the northern mountainous region. Each painting tells a story, offers a perspective on customs, traditions, and portraits of simple, honest, and approachable people from the highlands. Notable works include those depicting the lives of ethnic minorities in Son Dong district such as: "Dao Woman," "Moment of Leisure," "Dream on the Back," and "New Year's Story." Alongside these are works showcasing the rich traditional culture of the people, such as "Dao Wedding," "Coming-of-Age Ceremony," and "Harvest Prayer Ceremony"...

For example, artist Vu Cong Tri, born in 1976, has many wood sculptures and reliefs (ceramic, bronze) of high artistic value. In his works, the public sees tranquility, a "Zen" quality, and a focus on pure beauty. Nature and humanity in his sculptures and reliefs blend, intertwine, unify, and transform into a sensual and vibrant entity.

It is encouraging that the team of young artists is growing, with an increasing number of members participating in the Fine Arts Branch (Provincial Association of Literature and Arts), and most of them have received formal training. The number of annual works is increasing, with diverse perspectives, methods of expression, and materials, making a practical contribution to the development of art in the province.

Affirming talent

The next generation of artists during the period of innovation tended towards multi-style and experimental art. These artists gradually integrated with international trends while still paying attention to expressing their own unique identity based on personal experiences and distinct perspectives. Their confidence, freshness, and seriousness in artistic creation gradually narrowed the gap in skill and quality between Bac Giang's fine arts and the general level of Vietnamese fine arts. At the same time, their works still reflected the pulse of life, cultural identity, and the construction and development of Bac Giang.

The artwork "Tropical Garden" by artist Vu Cong Tri (Bac Giang) won the A prize at the 28th Northwest - Viet Bac Region III Fine Arts Exhibition in 2023.

In addition to the national art exhibition, since 1996, the Vietnam Fine Arts Association has annually organized regional art exhibitions, creating a broad platform for painters and sculptors to interact, learn, and exchange creative experiences, bringing their artworks to the public as quickly and clearly as possible. Thanks to this, the art scene in Bac Giang has developed strongly, extensively, and diversely, having a significant influence in the Northwest and Northeast regions of Vietnam and nationwide. The number of works by artists from the province participating in and exhibiting at exhibitions is increasing, and the quality is also improving.

Confidence, freshness, and seriousness in creative artistic work have gradually narrowed the gap in skill and artistic quality between Bac Giang's fine arts and the general level of Vietnamese fine arts.

According to the assessment of members of the Central Art Council, the current team of artists in Bac Giang possesses solid skills and invests in high-quality materials for their works. Their artistic thinking reflects individual styles and unique imprints. Increasingly, works by Bac Giang artists are selected and displayed in national art exhibitions; many have won awards.

For example, artist Vu Cong Tri won a total of 11 awards at regional and national exhibitions. At the 2023 Northwest - Viet Bac Regional Art Exhibition, he won the A prize with his sculpture "Tropical Garden" (wooden statue). At the 29th Northwest - Viet Bac Regional Art Exhibition in 2024, artist Luu The Han was awarded the C prize for his work "Northern Mountain Afternoon".

Minh Tue

Source: https://baobacgiang.vn/dien-mao-moi-cua-my-thuat-bac-giang-postid418173.bbg