Shaping Hearts 2025: Creative imprints of Vietnamese disabled artists

Singapore’s largest inclusive arts festival, “Shaping Hearts 2025”, kicked off at Our Tampines Hub on 13 September, with activities celebrating the creativity and talents of people with disabilities, while promoting the spirit of collaboration and inclusion.

Opening ceremony scene. Photo: Do ​​Van/VNA reporter in Singapore

According to a VNA reporter in Singapore, four Vietnamese disabled artists participated in the exhibition, introducing paintings along with more than 700 works by 210 artists from Singapore and the Asia- Pacific region. The exhibition is divided into three areas: Past, Present and Future, to honor the resilience and ability to turn challenges into creativity of disabled artists.

At the international exhibition area, three paintings by Vietnamese artists made a strong impression on visitors. Mr. Baey Yam Keng - District Chief of North East District, Minister of State, a special guest, shared: “Every day is a day for the community to unite, to show support and to celebrate the talents of artists with disabilities in our daily lives. This is also the occasion to celebrate Singapore's 60th National Day and we are very happy to receive support from Vietnam with our artworks. Among the works by Vietnamese artists, I saw a silk painting of rice fields, terraced fields and that really shows the richness of culture in our region, in ASEAN, and how our countries come together to celebrate something in common, which is inclusion and care for people in the community”.

A tourist attentively looks at a painting by a disabled Vietnamese artist displayed at the exhibition area. Photo: Do ​​Van/VNA reporter in Singapore

Filled with affection for the country and people of Vietnam, Mr. Desmond Choo - Minister of State for National Defence , former District Chief of the North East District - expressed his joy in the exhibition space of Vietnamese paintings: "Vietnam and Singapore are very old friends and we have a very deep partnership. And today is a testament to the contribution of Vietnamese people to Singapore and to building a stronger relationship between Singapore and Vietnam. Therefore, we hope that Vietnamese people will participate in this activity for many more years to come."

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh (right) introduces Vietnamese paintings to Mr. Baey Yam Keng - District Chief of the Northeast District. Photo: Do ​​Van/VNA reporter in Singapore

Proud of Vietnam's contribution to the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh said that this was a very meaningful activity. Because these are works that express the feelings and perceptions of people with disabilities in many different forms about life, about the world , and among them are disabled Vietnamese artists. With works like this, the perspective on Vietnamese cultural and historical works such as Khue Van Cac is expressed in a unique and creative way.

Behind the works at the exhibition are people with disabilities who possess innate talents and hearts full of life energy. Each artwork they create tells a profound story - a story of hardship, resilience, triumph and hope. Shang Kaini - a disabled artist who paints with her feet and mouth - expressed her joy at having her artwork displayed, especially during the Shaping Hearts event, saying that this is a great platform for disabled artists to reach a wider audience and have more opportunities to express their creativity and unique perspectives.

An autistic artist's effortful performance at the festival's opening ceremony. Photo: Do ​​Van/VNA reporter in Singapore

Visitors to the exhibition can view and purchase original artworks and products such as canvas bags and T-shirts, with all proceeds going to support disabled artists. On the opening day of the festival, an inclusive art and fashion program took place with the participation of 13 Shaping Heart artists and 10 disabled models from the Singapore Fashion Show. Featuring designs by Temasek Polytechnic students combined with the Shaping Heart artwork, the event spread the spirit of optimism, creativity and the efforts to overcome difficulties of people with disabilities.

Fashion show by disabled artists at the festival opening ceremony. Photo: Do ​​Van/VNA reporter in Singapore

In addition, the HeARTcade event allows the public to experience adaptive sports such as wheelchair basketball, blindfolded football, hockey, etc. to help better understand the lives of people with disabilities, thereby promoting integration and connecting love in society.

The Shaping Hearts 2025 Festival runs until September 28.

According to VNA

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/shaping-hearts-2025-dau-an-sang-tao-cua-nghe-si-khuyet-tat-viet-nam-a461521.html