The painter granted an interview with Thoi Nay (Present Times) Newspaper, talking about the programme and his artwork.
Q: Congratulations for your painting which was auctioned successfully in support the Covid-19 prevention and control. Why did you participate in the programme “Overcoming pandemic”?
A: On a fine day, the programme’s art curator called me and invited me to participate in the programme. My heart was full of joy and happiness. I agreed to join without thinking of benefits or fame. I only thought “let’s act and join”.
Q: Each painter had many available paintings. The artworks within the auction did not need to feature topics related to the epidemic. Why did you choose the painting “Dinh” (Calm down) for the auction? Is it considered as a painting consisting of three parts or is it three separate paintings in an overall frame?
A: Luckily, I always feel my mind is pure during my journey in creating art and I am in harmony with other people’s empathy. For this programme, everything comes as naturally as my work. All my artworks highlighted the “religious meditation” and the painting “Dinh” have the same meaning, but it was reflected in a different manner. Therefore, I did not simply select any available painting for the programme. The artwork is a set of paintings with inseparable overall layout.
Q: I know the painting was auctioned at VND31 million. Was this price to your satisfaction in terms of artistry and volunteering?
A: I consider it as a beautiful value. However, it was converted into money to serve the volunteer work. Therefore, despite any prices, I felt happy because I made small contribution to “overcoming the pandemic”.
Q: Despite being artworks for volunteer event, their artistic values should be properly recognised. How do you expect those who buy your painting in particularly and others at the programme in generally to behave with them?
A: In fact, in auctions, the successful sale of paintings for the highest bidders is the most important. The amount can be transferred to the painters or others, depending on circumstances. Their artistic values then become valuable to their owners. Therefore, the behaviour to the artworks are always respected and clear when they are converted into monetary value. The authors must accept the rules of the "game".
However, this auction was different as the artworks were chosen in different criteria but for the main purpose of raising funds for charity; therefore, artists donated 100% of the money.
Fortunately, a young collector bought my painting. He loves arts and has a kind heart.
Q: Were there any other artists whose paintings were successfully auctioned within the programme? What do you think about the “practicability” of the “charitable art programme” like that as the consensus of the artists and the whole community is needed to remove difficulties for society?
A: There are many other painters whose paintings were auctioned successfully within the programme, including painter and critic Phan Cam Thuong, Vu Dinh Tuan, Vu Huy Thong, Doan Hoang Kien, Ho Trong Minh, Tran Cong Dung and sculptors Thai Nhat Minh and Pham Thai Binh.
Many young artists are more and more responsible for the community. Therefore, many organisations and individuals who are operating in the field of arts have proactively supported them to develop their career as well as invited them to join charitable events. This programme is expected to create strong motivation for artists and offer an opportunity for collectors to purchase the best artworks, contributing to the charitable activities in the society.
Thank you very much for your interview!
