Camp provides place to create

Jack of all trades: Co Tu artists (from left) A Ting Quy, A Ting Muoi and A Ret Hinh carve sculptures from the trunks of jackfruit trees at a camp in Thua Thien-Hue Province. — VNS Photo Thai Loc

THUA THIEN-HUE — Twenty wooden sculptures created by unknown artists are on display at a camp being held in a village in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

Organised by the New Space Art Foundation Centre, the camp in Lai The, Phu Vang District, is meant to provide artists, especially those from ethnic minorities, a place to create and display their works and generally spread the art.

The central theme of the mostly traditional-style sculptures is hope for a peaceful world.

Among the highlights are works by three Co Tu artists – A Ting Quy, A Ting Muoi and A Ret Hinh – who have used the trunks of jackfruit trees.

Past, present, future

Hing hopes his style will attract young people who have no knowledge of traditional K'Tu art.

"All the artists have worked hard to … depict their cultures and lifestyles," Le Duc Hai, director of the HCM City-based New Space Art Foundation Centre, said.

"Their works depict their people's past, present, and future," he said. The sculptures would be sent to be displayed at an outdoor exhibition on Le Loi Street in Hue, he said.

Cu va Moi – Co Tu va Kinh (Old and New Things – Co Tu and Kinh People) would feature 40 sculptures made by local ethnic minority artists, he said.

To open on June 4, it would also showcase paintings and video artworks created by famous artists from around the country like Phan Hai Bang, Le Thai, Nguyen Thanh Trung and Phan Thanh Quang, he said.

The works are "vibrant and will speak to those who see them", he said. — VNS