Painting Exhibition "Song of Unification": Epic Song through Paintings

Artist Nguyen Thu Thuy introduces her work to veterans visiting the exhibition. (Photo: AN HAI)

The outdoor art exhibition "Song of Reunification" takes place in the atmosphere of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Navy (May 7, 1955 - May 7, 2025).

The exhibition center displays a 4m high, 45m long panel with sharp, enlarged prints of lacquer and oil paintings and battlefield sketches by military artists who participated in the resistance war, as well as works by a generation of artists born and raised in peace but full of passion and gratitude to their predecessors.

Behind each work displayed at the exhibition are touching stories, unforgettable memories of the artists and the characters they depict. In 1966, artist Le Lam refused the opportunity to study in the Soviet Union, deciding to go to the southern battlefield to record historical moments.

One of his most famous works is the painting of Ms. Tu Cao, a brave woman who stopped enemy vehicles with her bare hands in Long An in 1967. She stood defiantly in front of enemy tanks, in a space filled with smoke and bombs. The painting was originally titled “The Vietnamese people have never surrendered” and was later changed to “Stop” - a concise, powerful message about the nation's indomitable will.

In Ben Tre , where Le Lam was attached during the war years, the artist recorded through paintings the feats of arms, the steadfast people, and the unforgettable images of the resistance. Sharing the same spirit, artist Pham Ngoc Lieu also left a deep impression with many haunting works about war.

His sketches of soldiers in fortifications in Vinh Linh, Quang Tri, recall a tragic memory. In early 1973, while sketching at a battlefield on the banks of the Thach Han River, he recorded vivid moments of soldiers meeting. But just a few minutes after he left, enemy artillery rained down, taking the lives of the entire platoon he had just sketched. He wrote in his memoirs: “They were handsome, intelligent young soldiers, just out of school. Just a moment ago, but now they only appear in my sketches. But they live forever in my heart, in the gratitude of the Fatherland.”

“I paint war for the love of peace”, the saying of painter Le Huy Toan is like a strong declaration of his artistic mission. As one of the painters present at most of the important historical events of the country, from the Border Campaign in 1950, the Dien Bien Phu Victory in 1954, to the resistance war against the US, to save the country and the Great Spring Victory in 1975, Le Huy Toan witnessed and recorded unforgettable moments throughout his journey across the country.

With a gun and a pen, he owned a priceless artistic legacy with thousands of vivid sketches of fighting images, fierce moments, but also full of sacrifice and hardship of our army and people in the two great resistance wars of the nation.

In the exhibition space, veterans who directly experienced life-and-death moments in the war to protect the Fatherland, seem to be reliving the heroic years. With teary eyes, in each line of the painting, they seem to see again the youth of themselves and their comrades.

International delegations also paid close attention and commented. Mr. David Martin, an American businessman, stood still in front of the painting “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” by artist Nguyen Thuan. After admiring it for a long time, he shared: “I have never fully understood the pain and loss of your country, but the works have said something. The Vietnamese soldiers fought for an entire nation. We feel the power of faith and the desire for freedom through each stroke.”

At the exhibition, there are also three special works that have left a deep impression on viewers, becoming vivid evidence of the sacrifice, aspiration for freedom and victory of the nation. The oil painting “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” by artist Nguyen Thuan with strong, vivid lines, depicts the majestic beauty of the battle, while recalling the resilience and indomitability of our army and people during the difficult years.

Along with that, two lacquer paintings “Liberating Buon Ma Thuot” and “Tanks crashing into the Independence Palace gate” by artist Tran Huu Chat, through sharp, contrasting details, recreate glorious historical moments. Each painting both recalls the moment of victory and brings a moment of deep inspiration in gratitude to the people who devoted their youth to writing the heroic history of the nation.

Moved by the historical value of the series of fine art works, the students formed a heart and marked the April 30 milestone to express the gratitude and pride of the young generation - the generation born and raised in peace and independence. Continuing the inspiration of pride, artist Ngo Ba Hoang introduced to the public the painting "Hello Vietnam, my homeland" with a giant size: 1.8m high and 300m long, painted with acrylic material, honoring the beauty of the beautiful and peaceful country of Vietnam.

The painting’s content stretches from Lung Cu flagpole - the meeting place of heaven and earth - to Ca Mau cape, from the mountains to the vast plains and coastal areas, clearly depicting the unity of the three regions of the country. Each stroke seems to blend into the endless beauty of the country, a place rich in natural resources, rich in culture and long-standing traditions. Each stroke also deeply engraves the resilient and heroic spirit of the Vietnamese people.

The stories and vivid images from the past expressed through the paintings have been deeply engraved in the minds of viewers, becoming a message about the spirit of preserving and promoting the sacred values of freedom and peace. The exhibition also becomes a bridge between the past and the present, between past generations and future generations to record a journey full of sacrifice, bravery and pride of the nation.

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/trien-lam-tranh-bai-ca-thong-nhat-khuc-trang-ca-bang-cac-tac-pham-hoi-hoa-211120.html