(VOVworld) – The recent 5^th national sculpture exhibition in Hanoi reviewed the 10-year development of Vietnam’s sculpture and acknowledged contributions made by a new generation of sculptors, who have creatively combined tradition and modernity.

More than 670 works by 350 sculptors were on display. Many of them caught special attention from the audience. Tran Van An’s iron work called “Cover” is comprised of tightly-tied dark boxes, reflecting cramped urban spaces. Hoang Van Thang’s “Bus route” depicts a line of frantic people waiting to catch a bus. Do The Thinh’s “Street corner” reveals the fate of street people. Mai Thy Van is a lecturer at the Vietnam Fine-Arts College:“Vietnam’s contemporary sculpture has been partly influenced by global integration. But sculptors’ creativity has a strong sense “self”. The materials they use for the works are diverse, including clay, wood and concrete. Each sculptor’s broad-mindedness about foreign influence helps develop our art”.

A work called "Countryside story" by Ku Cao Khai

The exhibition also showcased installation sculpture works such as “Birds”, made of bamboo and timber by Thai Nhat Minh, which depicts tiny, amiable birds in a narrow doorway, reflecting the desire for freedom and peace of today’s young generation. On display was a 50-meter long 3D picture called “Vietnamese people”.

Young artist Nguyen Ngoc Tan shares his view on the way Vietnamese sculpture is evolving: “This is an era of cultural exchange. I will try harder to develop stronger Vietnamese culture filled with national identity”.

Young artists have made changes in the way they create works. Doctor of Art Nguyen Do Bao told VOV: “Today’s young generation is free in their creativity. They no longer rely on the state budget as previously. During the ongoing global integration process, there have appeared works with new styles, which combine tradition and modernity”.