The art of emotion: exhibiting the human condition through sculpture

On the eve of the 45th year of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and India (1972-2017), a group of Vietnamese artists showcased their art work: twenty painters, sculptors and photographers from Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City gathered in Kolkata to exhibit their extra-ordinary art works. The exhibition consisted of two parts. The first part displayed artworks of Vietnamese painters, designers, sculptors, lacquer artists, do paper designers and the second part of this exhibition exhibited photographs of the panoramic and natural beauty, life style, religious beliefs, customs as well as culture as a whole of the people of Vietnam.  In the last 30 years, these art works are well appreciated and have received prominence worldwide. The exhibits of this exhibition had travelled from New Delhi to Kolkata, with the help of ICCR, FREED, Sampark Publisher and Alliance française du Bengale.  Do Thi Hong Hanh,a Sculptor whose work was exhibited shares her thoughts.

How did you become interested in sculpture?

When I think about fine arts, firstly I think about painting, drawing, but my strong emotions are sculpture.

How do you choose your subject and themes in your work?

My subject and themes in my work is life and the life of women. Images of the life of the women in all areas in my country, all changes in the life and how it affects humanity.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

My draw my inspiration the society and the human beings.

What is the most difficult part of being a female artist?

Being a female artist it is very hard to work in fine arts. In Vietnam, female artists must earn money as a male artist, but their work is not as strong as male. They do not have enough time as male. Since they have to take care their family, cook and housework, and spend long time with the new born baby.

What's the situation like in the Vietnam contemporary art scene?

Vietnam contemporary art scene is booming. At present, I do not have any international exhibition but at the national level, I have a lot of projects.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

WORK HARD!