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| “Chicken Incubation Statue”, an artwork by Nguyen Tan Phat, one of the artists participating in the "Skilled Hands, Shared Culture" exhibition – PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ARTIST |
The exhibition, hosted by RMIT Gallery, features 20 contemporary Vietnamese and Australian designers, artists and artisans whose work contributes to supporting vibrant and sustainable communities.
The Vietnamese artists joining the exhibition comprise Le Giang, Nguyen Tan Phat, Nguyen Thi Dung, Nguyen Van Loi, Pham Thi Ngoc Tram, Vu Kim Thu and Van Ngo Trong, while their Australian counterparts consist of Claire Tracey, Grace Lilian Lee, Lindy de Wijn, Michelle Hamer, Muhubo Salieman, Slow Art Collective, Vermin, Vicki Couzens, Vipoo Srivilasa, Yu Fang Chi and Kieren Karritpul.
Paula Toal, head of Cultural and Public Engagement at RMIT University, said the exhibition is a great example of rising to the challenge of delivering programming and engagement in a virtual context during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’re delighted these works and the online exhibition can connect us to contemporary craft to inspire our tactile imaginations. While these artists may not necessarily consider themselves agents of social change, the nature of their work has the power to foster a community spirit that creates a sense of belonging and self-worth and deeply impacts communities, economies and creative expression,” she said.
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| Australian artist Muhubo Salieman shares a beautiful wall hanging made entirely of wool at the exhibition |
According to Bui Hoang Son, director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Art Studies, the exhibition is a great opportunity to build further connections between Vietnam and Australia.
“Vietnam and Australia have developed a strong relationship in many fields recently and I believe the strengthening of Vietnamese and Australian cultural relations would bring far more exciting opportunities in the coming years,” he said.
As part of the 2020 Vietnam Festival of Creativity and Design, the exhibition has been developed in partnership with RMIT’s Contemporary Art & Social Transformation Research Group, the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Art Studies, the Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association and RMIT Vietnam.
The exhibition runs until March 12, 2021, at https://rmitgallery.com/exhibitions/skilled-hands-shared-cultures.
