HCM CITY— An ongoing painting exhibition seeks to inspire love for one’s country and cherish the freedom that President Hồ Chí Minh fought for.  

The exhibition is part of cultural activities organised in HCM City to celebrate the late president’s 132 birth anniversary (May 19).

Held on the premises of the HCM City Fine Arts Association, the exhibition, Sống va Lam Viec Theo Tư Tưởng, Phong Cach va Đạo Đuc Hồ Chí Minh (Live and Work According to President Hồ Chí Minh’s Ideology, Morality and Lifestyle), displays 43 paintings on different materials by veteran artists. 

The paintings capture President Hồ’s great leadership and remarkable ideas for achieving the country’s freedom and independence.

Among the artists featured are Nguyễn Đăng Khoat, Le Thị Kim Hạnh and Le Xuan Hiếu. 

Several of the paintings have Vietnamese women and children as well as aspects of traditional culture and lifestyle as their subjects. 

 Artist Hiếu’s series of three panel paintings called Thanh Phố Hồ Chí Minh Khuc Khải Hoan (HCM City -- Song of Victory), released last year, shows President Hồ with fellow countrymen including soldiers.

“The paintings are very Vietnamese and strengthen our identification with the country,” said Đỗ Kim Thoa, a visitor who attended the May 11 opening ceremony.

Other highlighted works include Mặt Trời Của Mẹ (Mother’s Sun), a silk painting by Khoat that has an ethnic minority woman in her traditional attire with a baby in her hands, highlighting the beauty of Vietnamese people. 

Le Thị Kim Hạnh’s latest stone painting is a portrait of President Hồ using black, white and light brown tones.

Hạnh, a member of HCM City Fine Arts Association, who has been painting for more than 20 years, said: “I hope viewers will gain new experiences and passion for the country and its ideals after visiting the exhibition on President Hồ. The common thread in the works on display is love for the country and people.” 

The May 11-20 exhibition opens at 9am to 6pm every day at 218A Pasteur Street, District 3. — VNS