The "Land of Memories" exhibition at the Quang Tri Provincial Museum not only showcases 110 sketches but also opens up a space for the public to rediscover history through the perspective of artists who lived and created art right in this war-torn region.
When every brushstroke is a testament
What makes artist Nguyen Van Nguyen's collection special is not that the works have existed for over half a century, but that they were sketched right in the midst of the fierce war years in Quang Tri and Quang Binh (formerly).
The artist didn't stand aside and observe, reminiscing; instead, he lived directly with the soldiers and civilians, traveling through the key areas of the war to record every moment with simple brushstrokes. This is what transformed each painting into a "visual diary," authentically preserving the breath of an era that can never be repeated.
Looking at the artwork "Transporting the Wounded on the Kien Giang River," viewers can see images of doctors and nurses carrying wounded soldiers across the river amidst bombs and bullets, and also feel the silent sacrifice of the logistics forces during the war.
In "Northern Quang Tri Liaison Station," it was an entire system of trenches, tunnels, and secret ferry crossings, where every shipment and every soldier silently crossed the lines, creating the lifeline of the battlefield. Or in "Transporting Ammunition on Con Co Island," the heavy footsteps of the soldiers on the frontline island depicted the will to defend sovereignty even during the most brutal days.
Interspersed among the images of fighting are the Vân Kiều people, who persevere in their work, and the people in the liberated areas, who reclaim land, cultivate rice, and rebuild their lives. These glimpses show that war is not just about the sound of gunfire, but also about the will to live and the faith that enables people to overcome loss.
According to the leaders of the Quang Tri Provincial Museum, the greatest value of the exhibition is bringing these sketches back to the very places where they were created. Each work not only reflects a historical period of the Quang Tri - Quang Binh war zone but also serves as a valuable source of documentation, contributing to supplementing authentic glimpses of the war through the language of painting.
Exhibiting the collection in Quang Tri is also a way to bring history closer to the public, especially the younger generation, through emotionally rich images instead of just numbers and events.
The art of preserving memories.
According to artist Nguyen Luong Sao, what gives the exhibition its weight is not only the artistic quality of the works but also the fact that these sketches were made right in the middle of the battlefield, where the artist was both a witness and a creator.
"Currently, there are not many artists like Nguyen Van Nguyen who directly created artwork during the resistance war. Therefore, each sketch is not only a work of art but also a valuable historical artifact, truthfully reflecting people and life during the war from the perspective of those who experienced it firsthand."
What is valuable is that today, the younger generation has the opportunity to access and appreciate these original works, to understand that behind each pencil stroke and each simple shade lies an entire historical period paid for with blood, tears, and sacrifice.
"That's a value that becomes even more special over time, because no reproduction can replace the emotion and authenticity of sketches drawn right in the midst of the smoke and fire of war," said artist Sao.
Art teacher Bui Phuong also believes that the exhibition offers students a very different approach to history. While textbooks help them understand events, the sketches help them feel the people during the war.
Through simple pencil strokes, students can visualize the hardships of soldiers, the resilience of people in war zones, and understand that today's peace was bought with countless sacrifices from previous generations. It is precisely this emotion that not every lesson can fully convey, Ms. Phuong expressed.
After more than 50 years, many of the paintings have yellowed, and the watercolors have faded with time. But the older they get, the more they remind viewers that these are not just memories recounted after the war, but also slices of history preserved in the very moment they occurred.
"The Realm of Memories" is therefore both an art exhibition and a journey for art to continue fulfilling its mission of preserving national memory, ensuring that the past does not lie dormant in museums, but continues to engage in dialogue with the present through timeless pencil strokes.
On July 2nd, the Quang Tri Provincial Museum introduced 110 sketches and paintings by artist Nguyen Van Nguyen, selected from a collection of nearly 150 works he donated to the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hue in 2024.
Most of the works were created in Quang Tri and Quang Binh provinces during the period 1970-1975, directly documenting the life and struggles of the soldiers and people in the war zone.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/nghe-thuat/mien-ky-uc-nhung-net-chi-giu-lai-lich-su-242327.html
