Vietnamese women who contributed to the resistance wars against theFrench and the Americans have long inspired 55-year-old sculptor Lai ThiKim Thanh, a native of Long An province who now lives in Ho Chi MinhCity.
With her own expense, the sculptor has travelled to everycorner of the country with hopes of meeting and sculpting her idols –the mothers who lost children to the war and the courageous women whowere soldiers, commandos, spies, messengers and guerrilla fighters.
"I think it is my responsibility to record images of the women,because in a few years or so, they will pass away," Thanh said at theopening of her art exhibition at the Women's Cultural House in HCM Cityon April 15.
"I always keep a big piece of clay with me whenever I go somewhere," she added.
In 2006, after meeting Vietnamese Heroic Mother Bui Thi Me, Thanhdecided to focus on the women who had contributed to the country'sreunification efforts.
Over a 10-year period of travel to mostlyrural areas around the country, she created at least 100 sculptures ofthe women she admires.
"I want young generations tosee the mothers' sacrifices for the Vietnamese people and the country'sliberation," she said. "With these examples, I hope young people willdecide to help their families and society."
When meeting a heroic mother, Thanh first asks her if she is willing to pose for her.
"They agree immediately following my explanation," she said. "When Ilisten to the mothers talk about their lives, careers and familysituations, strange feelings come over me."
Ondisplay at the exhibition are sculptures of 32 women who have beenawarded either one or both of the titles Hero of the People's ArmedForces and Vietnamese Heroic Mother.
There are also artworks featuring female general Nguyen Thi Dinh, heroines Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen Thi Ba, and Nguyen Thi Hanh.
Twelve of the women, portrayed in plaster, brass or mixed media, arefrom Long An province, an area with one of the highest number of HeroicMothers in the country.
Thanh said the exhibitionwas held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Southern liberationand national reunification, which falls on April 30.
The works runs through May 4.-VNA
With her own expense, the sculptor has travelled to everycorner of the country with hopes of meeting and sculpting her idols –the mothers who lost children to the war and the courageous women whowere soldiers, commandos, spies, messengers and guerrilla fighters.
"I think it is my responsibility to record images of the women,because in a few years or so, they will pass away," Thanh said at theopening of her art exhibition at the Women's Cultural House in HCM Cityon April 15.
"I always keep a big piece of clay with me whenever I go somewhere," she added.
In 2006, after meeting Vietnamese Heroic Mother Bui Thi Me, Thanhdecided to focus on the women who had contributed to the country'sreunification efforts.
Over a 10-year period of travel to mostlyrural areas around the country, she created at least 100 sculptures ofthe women she admires.
"I want young generations tosee the mothers' sacrifices for the Vietnamese people and the country'sliberation," she said. "With these examples, I hope young people willdecide to help their families and society."
When meeting a heroic mother, Thanh first asks her if she is willing to pose for her.
"They agree immediately following my explanation," she said. "When Ilisten to the mothers talk about their lives, careers and familysituations, strange feelings come over me."
Ondisplay at the exhibition are sculptures of 32 women who have beenawarded either one or both of the titles Hero of the People's ArmedForces and Vietnamese Heroic Mother.
There are also artworks featuring female general Nguyen Thi Dinh, heroines Vo Thi Sau, Nguyen Thi Ba, and Nguyen Thi Hanh.
Twelve of the women, portrayed in plaster, brass or mixed media, arefrom Long An province, an area with one of the highest number of HeroicMothers in the country.
Thanh said the exhibitionwas held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Southern liberationand national reunification, which falls on April 30.
The works runs through May 4.-VNA
