Memories of Unification Day from paintings by artist Huynh Phuong Dong

HUYNH PHUONG DONG - Photo 1.

Artist Huynh Phuong Dong

Unforgettable memories of the fierce war years and the overwhelming joy when the country was reunified in April 1975 have just been emotionally recalled through the painting exhibition of the late artist Huynh Phuong Dong - on display from now until May 28 at the Ho Chi Minh City Exhibition Hall.

This is the second event in a series of four exhibitions spanning several months called Huynh Phuong Dong Journey, taking place in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi .

The opening ceremony was very cozy with the presence of city leaders, representatives of departments and branches, heroic Vietnamese mothers, teammates, comrades and the young generation who cherish the legacy of the late painter.

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FormerPresident Truong My Hoa, People's Artist Tra Giang and leaders of Ho Chi Minh City came to share joy with Ms. Le Thi Thu, wife of the late painter Huynh Phuong Dong at the exhibition.

The soldier who waits most for peace

In 1963, artist Huynh Phuong Dong said goodbye to his wife and two young children to go to the South to fight, working at the B11 Liberation Art Gallery. In the Southern battlefield, he and his comrades traveled across the most fierce fronts.

He expressed his feelings through letters to his wife (Mrs. Le Thi Thu): "I love you so much, but I have left for a fierce path, where my homeland is drowning in a sea of blood.

What can I say to you when we share the same sentiment? Rather than using the duty of the Fatherland to encourage each other to strive for the ideal of a beautiful tomorrow for our children. Goodbye, see you and your children again in a bright homeland day."

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Eastern liaison soldier - Painting: HUYNH PHUONG DONG

His most passionate creative period also coincided with the most intense resistance war against the US from 1965 to 1973.

He was present at the hot spots of important operations, battles and campaigns in the regions of Long An, Cu Chi, Ap Bac, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc...

In 1973, after meeting his wife again after 10 years apart, he continued to follow the march from Loc Ninh to Binh Phuoc and then Phuoc Long to record a series of works about the fighting in the South. In particular, a series of sketches about April 30, 1975 in Saigon, recorded the joy of the whole nation in a momentous historical moment.

Images of the final decisive battles, the day of peace with the red flag with yellow star fluttering in the sky, the tank entering the Independence Palace (now the Reunification Hall), the children running out to give gifts to the soldiers... were all recorded by Huynh Phuong Dong in a realistic and emotional way, as if he were writing history in pictures.

With his brush, artist Huynh Phuong Dong has recreated the fierce fighting reality, the sacrifice of comrades and the desire for peace.

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Lieutenant General Nguyen Chau Thanh silently admires the paintings capturing the moment of national reunification.

His sketches are not simply works of art but also historical witnesses to the sacrifice and bravery of the entire nation.

"I joined the army in 1968 and experienced most of the battlefields in the South, so when I stood in front of the sketches of the late artist Huynh Phuong Dong, I was very emotional because I read the history of his father and myself in them.

The portraits of the late painter Huynh Phuong Dong are not simply memories of friends but also depict the resilient yet emotional inner self of soldiers longing for peace," Lieutenant General Nguyen Chau Thanh emotionally expressed.

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Two young soldiers attentively look at a large painting of Dong Nai from above - Photo: H.VY

Leave it for posterity

Throughout 70 years of creation, painter Huynh Phuong Dong has been deeply attached to the nation's important events through two resistance wars against foreign invaders and the years of peace and renovation.

He brought art to the battlefield, not only taking notes of battles but also organizing exhibitions of paintings with his comrades along trenches, on tree branches, amidst the sound of falling bombs and tearing bullets.

His paintings are both a friend to encourage the spirit of frontline soldiers and a messenger to convey faith to the home front to overcome difficulties and move towards the day of national reunification.

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Portrait of the late painter Huynh Phuong Dong

His creative imprint is not only in the massive body of work but also in the special circumstances in which they were created, most of which were sketches right in the middle of the battlefield. He spent his entire youth recording the ups and downs of the nation with whatever he found on the battlefield.

During wartime, Huynh Phuong Dong's paintings depict the lives of soldiers and the faces that shape the times. During peacetime, his paintings represent the country with its people working hard and eager to build.

"On the important occasion of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, we cannot help but remember the silent contributions of the late painter Huynh Phuong Dong.

He helped preserve portraits of his comrades, memories from 30 years of war to peace, leaving an important legacy for future generations" - painter Luong Xuan Doan shared.

Memories of Unification Day - Photo 3.

Self-portrait of artist Huynh Phuong Dong

The exhibition series "Huynh Phuong Dong's Journey" is jointly organized by museums, the artist's family and SANN - The House of Art to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of artist Huynh Phuong Dong and the 50th anniversary of national reunification.

From Huynh Phuong Dong's collection of more than 3,000 works, more than 700 works have been selected to be displayed at four locations, creating the largest exhibition series about the late artist to date.

More than 2,500 of his works will also be introduced through the book series Huynh Phuong Dong's Journey (expected to have 10 books) released on April 30.

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