St. Joseph’s Cathedral, located in the heart of Hanoi, has been adorned with decorations for Emmanuel 2024. The streets are aglow with lights, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the festive season. In line with this joyful ambiance, the artist group G39 has presented the exhibition titled “Gratitude,” featuring 32 magnificent works inspired by Christmas.
| The exhibition showcases a collection of 32 artworks created by 11 talented artists, all capturing the essence of the Christmas season. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times |
The exhibition brings together 11 talented artists, including Le Thiet Cuong, Binh Nhi, Nguyen Hong Phuong, Nguyen Quoc Thang, Nguyen Minh, Nguyen Thanh Quang, Pham Tran Quan, Lam Duc Manh, Doan Hoang Lam, Chu Hong Tien, and Do Dung. Each artist brings their unique style and perspective, resulting in a diverse and captivating exhibition. The artworks utilize various materials such as oil paint, acrylic on rice paper, acrylic on canvas, synthetic materials, colored powder, canvas covered with exquisite do (poohnah) paper, and gouache on old newspaper.
Although each artist has their own distinct style, they all share a common view of the festival season: “Religion has always been intertwined with festivals, customs, and traditions. Art serves as a vessel, spreading the teachings of the Bible far and wide among the masses.”
From his Gallery 39 on Ly Quoc Su Street, artist Le Thiet Cuong, the curator of the exhibition, noticed the profound harmony between St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Ly Trieu Quoc Su Pagoda, and Phu Ung Temple. These religious landmarks, located just a few meters apart, symbolize the unity of different faiths.
| A captivating painting by Le Thiet Cuong, the curator of the exhibition. |
About six months before Christmas, Le Thiet Cuong invited the artists from the G39 group to reflect on the themes of Christmas, peace, and gratitude, inspiring them to create artworks for this curated exhibition.
“If the Roman numeral clock on the facade of St. Joseph’s Cathedral had an eye, it would have witnessed countless people standing in front of the cathedral, praying, reciting, and admiring its beauty for over a hundred years. These experiences, accompanied by the gentle melodies of Ave Maria, the sound of prayers, and the midnight bells, have served as endless inspiration for art,” explained artist Le Thiet Cuong.
He firmly believes that while God creates the world, artists create art. The ideas and artistic inspirations present at the exhibition have the power to bring dreams to life, empowering each individual to do good and think more about others.
| Nguyen Minh’s painting titled “Little Stories.” |
Nguyen Minh, one of the participating artists who contributed three artworks to the exhibition, believes that Christmas is no longer solely a Christian holiday but has become an integral part of Vietnamese culture. It is a special occasion for everyone to gather together and pray for goodness and peace.
Despite not holding any religious beliefs himself, Nguyen Minh still experiences deep emotions when standing in front of these longstanding churches, contemplating their spiritual significance in today’s society.
The exhibition will run until December 25 at Son Art & Culture Space, located at 20C Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi.
| “Place of Peace,” a captivating artwork by Nguyen Hong Phuong. |
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