It seems that Da Nang has a certain attraction for many domestic and foreign artists, especially in the field of fine arts and visual arts. Some of them far away from home have finally decided to settle down in the city, whilst other foreigners suddenly choose this land to anchor their hearts.

Returned children

Late painter and sculptor Le Cong Thanh has been honoured by artists throughout the country as 'the god rules over women' because the theme of women ran through his massive creative career. The sculpture that he was most interested in is the ‘Me Au Co’ (Mother Au Co) chosen by the Da Nang leaders to place in the Bien Dong (East Sea) Park, at the end of Pham Van Dong Street.

Late painter and sculptor Le Cong Thanh

The statue is made of white stone and it features two large busts which together enclose a large egg. The statue block is placed on a box-shaped pedestal that is tiled with 3mx3m black granite stones.

According to many domestic art critics, the Mother Au Co Statue showcases the condensation of ideas and the modernity of form, and it is specifically placed in harmony with the landscapes of the park.

Late painter and sculptor Thanh was born in Da Nang, but he grew up and worked in Northern Viet Nam. Homeland always lives in his mind. In the last years of his life, many collectors came to offer to buy many paintings and statues, but he and his family skillfully refused in order to present them to the homeland.

A gallery featuring arts works created by late painter and sculptor Le Cong Thanh was opened in the Da Nang Museum of Fine Arts in 2020 as a tribute to the famous Vietnamese painter and sculptor.

The ‘Me Au Co’ (Mother Au Co) Statue -one of the highlights of the Da Nang-based East Sea Park.

Another Da Nang-born artist is painter Vinh Khoa (also known as Vink) who has lived and worked in arts for a long time in Europe.

Painter Vinh Khoa - Vink was born and grew up in Da Nang. At the age of 19, he went to study in Belgium and settled there afterwards. Vink's comics have been well known throughout Europe for their quantity, quality and style.

He is famous for his comic series about the Fairy Tales of Viet Nam, Derrière la haie de bambous (The Green Bamboo Shelter), the 1000-year-old city of Liège, and the Le Moine Fou (The Mad Monk).

His name was confirmed by the biggest comic award in Belgium in 1985. In November 2021, painter Vinh Khoa held an exhibition in his hometown and donated a total of 60 original comic drawings, 20 documents and 14 comic books published in Belgium and Thailand to the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum.

Foreign artists "falling in love" with Da Nang

Norwegian sculptor Oyvin Storbaekken (left) and the writer

As he set foot in Da Nang for the first time, Norwegian sculptor Oyvin Storbaekken fell in love with the land and the people of Da Nang.

Not long after, the foreign sculptor quickly coordinated with local artists to deploy the Da Nang Sculpture Project which aims to guide local sculptors in the use of modern carving techniques in order to improve product quality for reaching out to the world market.

He appealed for the Norwegian government and other organizations to pump millions of USD into the project. As a result, the project’s basic objectives have been completed after 16 years of implementation (2003-2019).

Most recently, he donated a sculpture work named 'Song Bien’ (Seawaves) to the city. The 1.5m high work is placed at the corner of the Vo Van Kiet and Vo Nguyen Giap streets.

Artist Mark Cooper (second right) at the opening ceremony of the ‘Bridge’ exhibition.

Mark Cooper is a famous visual artist, as well as an art lecturer at many prestigious universities in the United States. He has held his own exhibitions in many countries around the world.

After coordinating with overseas Vietnamese artist Vu Trong Thuan to successfully organize an exhibition themed ‘Bridge’ at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum in 2019, the US multimedia artist created an 8-ton marble contemporary art sculpture 'Unbounded' for Da Nang. This meaningful sculpture is currently on display in the campus of the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum.

Meanwhile, overseas Vietnamese artist Vu Trong Thuan is very passionate about Da Nang. He was born in Hai Phong, but he has lived and worked in art field for many years in France. For nearly 2 decades years, he has chosen Da Nang as his second hometown.

Thuan’s lacquer paintings with his own creative style are respected by his colleagues, and loved by many people, especially foreign collectors. He plans to donate all of his works to Da Nang. How appreciative he is.

Artist Mark Cooper (right) and painter Vu Trong Thuan jointly creating the art sculpture 'Unbounded' . Photo: NGOC HA

Meanwhile, Japanese art collector Toyochi Itoh has a different yet extremely generous attitude towards Da Nang. He was originally a businessman but had the soul of an artist.

After nearly 30 years of coming to Viet Nam, he has spared no expense in buying many artworks of Vietnamese artists over the historical periods.

He has collected nearly 300 artworks, including many paintings created by such famous domestic painters as Nguyen Gia Tri, Tran Van Can, Duong Bich Lien, and Tu Duyen.

Recently, he has decided to donate the aforementioned collection of paintings to Da Nang. For those who work in culture and arts sector in the city, this is seen as a gift falling from sky.

Another specialized space for arts needed

It is no coincidence that Da Nang has always won the hearts of both domestic and foreign artists. Perhaps, the most important reason is the special culture and friendly people of Da Nang.

Mark Cooper said, during his stay in Da Nang for the ‘Bridge’ exhibition, he was deeply impressed by the hospitability and friendliness of local residents, especially their smile. This has inspired him to create a contemporary sculpture about innocent, witty and gentle smiling faces representing the hospitability of Da Nang's people.

Painter Vinh Khoa

Besides, the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum is highly appreciated by domestic and foreign artists. This venue is really a place for artists from both home and abroad to gather and exchange experience. It is also a place to preserve and introduce valuable paintings and sculptures in the Central Viet Nam, and a regular destination for arts lovers.

Perhaps, in the coming time, Da Nang is in need of another space specialising in displaying art works donated by domestic and international friends. This will help to affirm the city’s position in the field of arts, as well as improve the spiritual life of the people.

Reporting by People's Artist HUYNH HUNG – Translating by M.DUNG