The paintings are awaiting their release.

For an artist, the greatest happiness is creating and seeing their work reach the public. However, in Lao Cai, despite a team of over 40 artists diligently creating, many works have yet to be exhibited. The lack of exhibition space and activities is causing many paintings to quietly "wait for their day of release."

I visited artist Pham Loi at his home on Nguyen Du Street, Lao Cai Ward. In the small space of his living room, he dedicated a corner entirely to painting. Beside his familiar easel, dozens of paintings hung on the walls or were stacked on shelves, quietly waiting for the day they would be brought out to the public.

Artist Pham Loi shared: "It's not about waiting for an exhibition to create; I still have to paint, I still have to work on my art. At least each year I have to have a few completed works ready to participate when the opportunity arises."

Therefore, despite limited exhibition space, he continues to work diligently in his art, regularly producing new works. Since the beginning of the year, he has completed six new works, ready to participate in exhibitions throughout the year.

The living room is where artist Pham Loi both creates his works and stores them awaiting public release.

However, opportunities for his works to reach the public remain quite limited. In 2025, artist Pham Loi will only participate in two small-scale local exhibitions, each showcasing one or two works.

Meanwhile, the Northwest - Viet Bac Regional Art Exhibition III - a high-quality, highly anticipated event in the art world - has been temporarily suspended, leaving many artworks waiting for their official launch.

This reality doesn't stop artists from creating, but it does leave them with much to ponder. Because for a painter, a work only truly "comes to life" when it is accepted by the public and recognized and evaluated by professionals.

"Everyone hopes to have platforms where their artwork can be showcased and evaluated. Only then can they know where they stand and whether their work can reach the public," artist Pham Loi further shared.

The story of painter Pham Loi also reflects the general situation of many painters in Lao Cai today. According to painter Huy Hiep, the fact that a work has not been exhibited is not necessarily due to its quality, but depends on many factors, including the specific criteria of each competition or exhibition.

"There are works that haven't been exhibited not because their quality isn't guaranteed, but because they don't meet the requirements of each competition or each round of the contest," said artist Huy Hiep.

Artist Huy Hiep next to his easel.

As someone who pursues many styles, from abstract to realistic, and uses a variety of materials, artist Hiep said that selecting works to participate in exhibitions also requires careful consideration to suit each "stage".

However, besides professional expertise, the reality of art activities in the locality still faces many difficulties. In 2025, the number of exhibitions and displays will not be large, mainly consisting of small-scale activities at the local level.

As we enter 2026, despite the "Spring Flower Colors" exhibition already being held, artists believe that this is still not enough to create a vibrant creative environment.

The Spring Flower Art Exhibition will be held in February 2026.

In the context of limited opportunities in the fine arts, the need for artistic "platforms" is becoming increasingly urgent. Exhibitions are not only places to showcase artwork, but also spaces for artists to interact, learn, receive feedback from professionals, and find inspiration for their creative work.

"The more works are published, the more motivated the artist becomes to continue creating," emphasized artist Huy Hiep.

Artist Xuan Chien, Vice Chairman of the Fine Arts Branch of the Lao Cai Provincial Association of Literature and Arts, believes that the main channel for fine art works to reach the public is still through exhibitions and displays. However, according to him, the frequency of these activities in the locality has been quite modest recently.

Each exhibition only features one to three works by the artist, so the opportunity to showcase their work is limited.

However, the difficulties lie not only in the number of exhibitions, but also in many other factors. According to artist Xuan Chien, the public's taste and demand for art appreciation are not yet truly widespread; meanwhile, the infrastructure for exhibitions is lacking, and there is no suitable display space to effectively showcase the artworks.

"Organizing an exhibition, especially a solo or group exhibition, requires not only artwork but also funding, time, and long-term preparation," shared artist Xuan Chien.

According to artist Xuan Chien, bringing artworks closer to the public requires a coordinated effort from many sides: increasing the organization of exhibitions, providing financial support, raising aesthetic awareness in the community, and creating conditions for artists to be more proactive in their creative activities and promoting their works.

In particular, given the growing number of artists in the province, building a dynamic and in-depth artistic environment is essential so that artworks no longer just "wait," but actually have the opportunity to be present in public life, contributing to enriching the local cultural and artistic life.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhung-buc-tranh-cho-ngay-ra-mat-post897787.html