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| A corner displaying the artworks in the Hue fine arts collection at Hue Museum of Fine Arts |
After 7 years since it was opened, this exhibition has stood as a meaningful milestone that Hue Museum of Fine Arts wishes to offer to art lovers on its journey of collecting works. These are pieces that embody distinct artistic value and the signature creative styles of Hue artists, as well as those who have lived, studied, and worked in Hue. Each artwork represents a chapter in the artist’s creative path, or reflects an era of Vietnamese art in general, and Hue’s art in particular, within a specific moment of history.
Within this beautifully designed building by the poetic Huong River, visitors can encounter artworks that span the creative journeys of many renowned artists.
There are works from the early 20th century by Ton That Sa; from the 1930-1945 period with Mai Trung Thu, Ton That Dao, and from 1945-1975 by artists, such as Phan Xuan Xanh, Do Ky Hoang, Vinh Phoi, Lam Triet, Ton That Van, Dinh Cuong, Truong Be, Hoang Dang Nhuan, Le Quy Long, Cong Huyen Ton Nu Tuyet Mai, Buu Chi, and Duong Dinh Sang, etc. And, of course, the exhibition also honors the latter half of the 20th century and the younger generation of artists, who bring with them new forms of expression such as video art and installation art.
For many different reasons, Hue Museum of Fine Arts still does not have a permanent exhibition space for artworks purchased with public funds or donated by artists and collectors. Because of this, these pieces have long been kept in storage, and every time they are brought out for display, they are met with eager anticipation from the public.
“There are artworks that reveal their creators at the moment we lay eyes on them. These artists are names that can never be left out when speaking of Hue’s fine arts. The magnificent works of Mai Trung Thu, Ton That Dao, and Hoang Dang Nhuan, etc. carry something powerfully alluring, something that draws viewers in,” shared Nguyen Trong Huy (Hue City), an art lover, after spending time contemplating the exhibition.
Huy shared that he had seen many works by Hue’s great painters before, but never in such a systematic, concentrated display featuring so many renowned pieces at once. It is a pity, he added, that although the Museum has built an impressive collection over the years, the issue of creating a permanent exhibition space has still not been resolved.
As Huy shared, after 7 years of development, while the two art spaces, including Lebadang Art Space and Diem Phung Thi Art Museum, already offer ideal venues for display, the fine arts collection still lacks a space worthy of its value. “After the exhibition, the works are taken down and returned to storage. This is a collection that deserves a permanent place to be displayed, showcasing and promoting part of Hue’s cultural heritage in general and Hue’s fine arts in particular,” Mr. Huy said sadly.
Ms. Dinh Thi Hoai Trai, Director of Hue Museum of Fine Arts, stated that alongside its professional activities, collecting artworks has always been a top priority for the Museum. Therefore, in addition to the two artwork collections by artist Le Ba Dang and sculptor Diem Phung Thi, the Museum has consistently devoted its efforts to gathering pieces by Hue’s most celebrated artists.
During this process, the Museum was fortunate to receive the consent, support, and cooperation of the families of late painters, artists, and sculptors, etc., which allowed them to access many works of significant artistic value. These pieces were then added to the Museum’s collection to best serve the preservation, research, and promotion of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Although there is still no proper space for the works considered the “golden treasures” of the collection, Ms. Dinh Thi Hoai Trai hopes that this exhibition serves both as a tribute and a recognition of the tremendous contributions of artists and the community to Hue’s fine arts over the Museum’s 7 years of operation.