The 30 artworks displayed at an ongoing art exhibition entitled ‘ the Land of Memories’ taking place from November 15 to 25 at Da Nang-headquartered Dong A University are not necessarily the best creations, but they are part of the memory, the remembrance of the past that always stirs the artists’ minds and inspires their creativity.

Colour woodcut "The Legend of Saint Giong" by artist Tran Nguyen Dan. Photo: P.T.B

It can be said that the exhibition is a get-together rich in artistic content with the participation of artists from the capital city of Ha Noi and the central coastal cities of Hue and Da Nang, especially artists currently living in the United States.

Memories always arouse the artist's feelings, emotions and creative energy, even though sometimes those creations are spontaneous from the unconscious mind, but they appear extremely real, warm, and pure as the famous Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali said when he made the debut of his artwork ‘The Persistence of Memory’ in August 1931: “Drawing is the honesty of art”.

Emotions from memories are always a source of inspiration in the creativity of visual artists and therefore the artworks in this exhibition can be considered the feelings and thoughts of artists who, although living and working far apart, have met, converged, and connected with one another as kindred spirits.

For visual artists, the memory of the past like the shadow of time always stirs in the mind and stimulates creative inspiration. However, they are not obscured by the passage of time, but can appear suddenly, anywhere in their creative journey with all the passion and intense attraction.

At this exhibition, the traditional woodcuts by the State Award-winning artist Tran Nguyen Dan are truly precious things when traditional woodcut graphic paintings are increasingly rare in national and regional exhibitions.

Moreover, the feelings, fresh memories and regrets about the beautiful past in Tran Nguyen Dan’s paintings will hold us in a state of excitement before the beauty of every region of the country. His paintings clearly demonstrate the creative skills of a graphic artist with solid, skillful craftsmanship and a unique exploration of shaping techniques.

The artist’s thoughts and concerns about his cultural roots, although very discreet, still find it difficult to hide a hint of anxiety before the simple beauty of life that seems to be increasingly distant and lost in modern times.

With artist Ngo Duy Cuong, who now lives in the United States, his paintings are full of contemplation and nostalgia for the homeland. This can make many domestic artists a bit worried, why are many familiar beauties around us easily overlooked, but an artist living far away, through his creations, deeply engraved, full of sincere nostalgia.

The artist's works can evoke the past in the present. Perhaps as a Vietnamese living far away from home, his feelings for his homeland always become the most profound, dear and moving emotions.

Painter Phan Thanh Binh cannot hide his nostalgia for the beautiful women, perhaps that's why they never fade but become hidden in his paintings with the dreamy smoky gray blue colour.

Painter Nguyen Vu Lan has an easily recognizable style according to each of his nostalgic creative directions and contributes to creating a multi-faceted memory land. The beauty of the ancient citadel covered with moss and the mottled ruins of his hometown Hue makes his paintings easily impress people's hearts with sympathy.

Meanwhile, artist Ngo Thanh Hung is strong and passionate in his abstract paintings like a stream connecting history with the desire to hold on to time. Perhaps the similarities and differences in each artist have brought the public interesting, subtle experiences and feelings from each work of the exhibition.

The exhibition, held for the first time at the Dong A University, aims to bring the public deep emotions and sincere, new, suggestive and inspiring artistic feelings, further awakening the belief in life for each of us.

Reporting by Assoc. Prof. Dr. PHAN THANH BINH, Former Principal of the University of Arts, the Hue University

Translating by A.THU