"Portraits from the Heart" was the third portrait event of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers by painter Dang Ai Viet, held at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. The event helped the public learn more about the female artist's persistent, emotional, and memorable journey over a decade. It is a voluntary and heartfelt journey and a race against time to meet the Mothers before it is too late.
With an old Honda Chaly motorbike and a Cub 50 motorbike, minimal luggage including a toolbox with paper, colours, and drawing tools, along with some personal belongings, the 76-year-old female artist has travelled across all 63 provinces to meet and draw portraits of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.
Through the exchange programme at the event, the participants heard the artist sharing her aspirations, ideals and dedication to the country, as well as touching and inspiring stories about her journey.
Artist Dang Ai Viet shared: "Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that "our country has never before had such potential, position, and prestige in the international arena as it does today". The potential and position are thanks to the sacrifices of the heroic fallen soldiers who are the children of the Heroic Vietnamese Mothers. Therefore, through my journey, I want to introduce the images of the Mothers to many future generations".
For her, drawing the Heroic Vietnamese Mothers’ portraits is the journey of love, which has received the support and companionship of agencies at all levels.
The exhibition displays 63 portraits of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, who bear the sorrow of losing their children, who sacrificed for the cause of national independence, in 63 provinces and cities.
Notably, also on display are the artist’s memorabilia associated with many touching stories as she met each Mother; the Cub 50 motorbike – her companion; and everyday items such as a kettle, a drinking cup, and a rice container that she has used throughout her journey.
On the occasion, female painter Dang Ai Viet presented nearly 3,000 portraits of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers to the Vietnamese Women’s Museum.
Painter Dang Ai Viet (Dang Thi Bong) was born on November 16, 1948, in Tan Binh Commune, Cai Lay District, Tien Giang Province. She has created over 3,000 sketch portraits of living Heroic Vietnamese Mothers nationwide since February 2010. In 2010, 2011, and 2014, the artist was recognised by the Vietnam Records Organisation and the Asian Records Organisation as the first woman to use a Chaly motorbike to travel across 63 provinces to sketch portraits of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers and as the artist who has drawn the most portraits of Heroic Vietnamese Mothers. On November 13, 2020, she was awarded the Labour Hero title by the State.
