Japanese artist comes to Con Dao to teach painting

Họa sĩ Nhật đến Côn Đảo dạy vẽ tranh - Ảnh 1. — Five Japanese and Vietnamese artists come to Con Dao to teach painting to students - Photo: Organizing Committee

The Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, the Ao Dai Museum Branch, and the Nang Mai Artists Club jointly organized a painting activity and awarded scholarships to students in Con Dao Special Zone (Ho Chi Minh City).

Participating in this activity were artists Takayuki Tomoi, Yoshihisa Sano (from Japan) and artists from the Nang Mai Artists Club including artists Huynh Hai Phuong Thao, Nguyen Thi Khuyen and artist Tran Thi Dao.

For three days, from September 21 to 23, five Japanese and Vietnamese artists and volunteers organized two short-term drawing courses for about 100 children at Cao Van Ngoc Primary School and Le Hong Phong Secondary School.

Ms. Huynh Ngoc Van - director of the Ao Dai Museum, the initiator of the drawing class - told Tuoi Tre Online that the drawing class was held again after a period of interruption due to the impact of COVID-19.

This year, the group organized two painting courses for primary and secondary school students. The children enjoyed this painting activity because of the geographical distance, so Con Dao children do not have as many opportunities to access painting as children on the mainland.

Artists Takayuki Tomoi and Yoshihisa Sano and the group went to Con Dao to teach painting during their trip to Vietnam to participate in the Autumn Colors 2025 exhibition at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts.

Japanese artist Takayuki Tomoi - art director of the non-profit organization Be Creative, has been active in the arts for over 23 years. He has held 27 solo exhibitions in Japan and internationally.

Artist Yoshihisa Sano - a member of the Osaka Sculpture Association, has 30 years of artistic experience and has held 19 solo exhibitions.

Họa sĩ Nhật đến Côn Đảo dạy vẽ tranh - Ảnh 2. — Artist Takayuki Tomoi (in black) and artist Yoshihisa Sano (left) with children in Con Dao

Ms. Ngoc Van added that in 2018 and 2019, the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City brought Japanese artists to Con Dao to teach painting many times. Teachers and students in Con Dao love this activity and look forward to it every year.

Previously, Ms. Huynh Ngoc Van - when she was the director of the War Remnants Museum - coordinated with other units to organize annual drawing classes in Con Dao. Short-term drawing courses and annual drawing competitions were maintained from 2013 to 2017.

“Until now, Con Dao has not had any art teachers, so the curriculum does not include this subject. Meanwhile, children love drawing. When participating in the art course, each child will receive a box of colored pencils, so they are very excited,” Ms. Huynh Ngoc Van explained why she organized art classes for children in Con Dao.

On this occasion, in addition to painting, the group also taught origami, made lanterns in the shape of ao dai, painted on conical hats, piggy banks, etc., and especially awarded 32 scholarships to students in difficult circumstances.