Painting, women, and the red soil

Starting from a simple idea to create "an artistic playground" exclusively for women painters more than a decade ago, the "Back to the Red Land" exhibition series has become a meaningful journey. Every year, female artists from all three regions of Vietnam embark on this journey together: from Hanoi , to Da Nang, and then to Ho Chi Minh City.

This 11th time, the journey stops in Pleiku – a land of green tea hills, the sound of wind blowing through pine forests, and the tranquil red soil. With nearly 50 works by 30 female artists, the exhibition space at the Pleiku Museum seems illuminated by dozens of distinct worlds , each painting a soul, each color a breath.

The artwork "Threefold Fire" by Associate Professor, Dr. Trang Thanh Hien at the "Returning to the Red Land" exhibition.

At the exhibition, the artwork "Threefold Fire" by Associate Professor, Dr. Trang Thanh Hien guides the public on a journey of self-discovery amidst life. The painting represents a shift from reality to spirituality, expressed through the image of a person in a meditative posture, surrounded by lotus flowers, fire, and flowing water. The layers of paint transition from transparent to opaque, with interwoven shades of red, blue, and black, reflecting the contrast between matter and spirit, between stillness and movement. The lotus flower and fire are subtly stylized, symbolizing purification and rebirth.

“My starting point is as a researcher of traditional art, especially Buddhist art, so in my creations, elements of meditation, enlightenment, or awakening are always a theme. The works are like my contemplation of the tranquil states of Zen koans, allowing the mind, body, and spirit to develop in the richest way. “Samadhi Fire” is a pair of works made with ink on dó paper and using unique printmaking techniques, inspired by the fire of wisdom and purity – a symbol in Buddhist art,” Associate Professor, Dr. Trang Thanh Hien shared.

Nguyen Anh Dao's "Garden of the Heart" depicts a young woman in a red ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) amidst a flower garden, gazing towards the golden moon. The lacquer colors are subtly handled, from the brown and yellow background of the earth, the bronze moonlight, to the vibrant red of the dress, evoking a feeling of warmth and elegance. The image of the woman symbolizes gentle beauty, yet also contains a profound depth of soul, yearning for purity and a desire to live.

The artwork "Garden of the Heart" by artist Nguyen Anh Dao.

"By the Stream of Konnak Village" by Ho Thi Xuan Thu transports the audience back to a realm of memories, with scenes of children playing under bare trees by the riverbank. The lacquer work here is rendered using contrasting layers of color: gray, red, brown, and yellow, creating a rough yet expressive surface effect. The artwork seems to evoke the cyclical nature of time, where nature, people, and memories intertwine in a single rhythm of life.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Nguyen But's "Whispers of the Highlands," with its characteristic abstract language of lacquer painting, depicts a woman scooping water into a jar. The red, yellow, black, and brown hues are created using techniques of grinding, carving, and painting overlays, highlighting the depth and sheen of the material. It celebrates the beauty of Vietnamese women – diligent, persistent, and graceful.

Like a harmonious blend of colors, the artworks intertwine in the red hues of basalt, the resonant sounds of gongs, and the rhythmic beat of a woman's heart: all creating a world of rich life, resilience, and inner beauty.

When women spread beauty

From veteran artists to young talents born in the 1980s, they stand together in a vibrant artistic space where experience and innovation, depth and freshness intertwine. As Associate Professor, Dr. Trang Thanh Hien shared: When art is disseminated, it creates brilliant effects. This exhibition is proof of the boundless creative energy of Vietnamese women.

The artwork "By the Stream in Konnak Village" by artist Ho Thi Xuan Thu.

Bringing this exhibition to Gia Lai is the heartfelt wish of artist Ho Thi Xuan Thu, a native of the mountain town and the connecting spirit of the journey. She said simply and sincerely: “In Gia Lai, female artists are still very young and have few opportunities to interact. I want to create a bridge, so they can feel shared, inspired, and confident in their creativity.”

Nguyen Lan Huong, who initiated this project in 2010, recalled: “Back then, we only had 10 people. Now, that message has spread. For women, drawing is about overcoming prejudice and the barriers of their traditional roles. And yet, we have succeeded.”

Taking place on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Women's Union, the exhibition "Returning to the Red Land" is not only an art event, but also a tribute to Vietnamese women, who both keep the family flame alive and dare to live their lives fully for art.

"Whispers of the Plateau" by Nguyen Nguyen But.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich, Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, affirmed: "Culture and art are important resources for promoting the image of the Central Highlands region and its people. This exhibition helps the public in Gia Lai access new artistic values, while also spreading a love of art within the community."

And indeed, in the red hues of the basalt soil, in the lingering sound of gongs and the aroma of coffee carried on the wind, in each painting, viewers not only encounter colors and lines, but also feel the heartbeat, the emotions, and the yearning for life. Art becomes a way of showing gratitude, not with flowers, not with wishes, but with colors, with emotions, and with sincerity; it becomes a bridge connecting souls, spreading the message of women who, with their brushstrokes, are continuing to write the story of beauty, of faith, and of love for life.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/ve-mien-dat-do-khuc-hoa-sac-cua-nhung-nguoi-phu-nu-cam-co-897967