The ties that bind
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An artist's sculptures honour the sacrifices women made during the wars
Vietnamese women who contributed to the resistance wars against the French and the Americans have long inspired 55-year-old |sculptor Lai Thi Kim Thanh, a native of Long An Province who now lives |in Ho Chi Minh City.
The sculptor has used her own money to travel to every corner of the country in the hope of meeting and sculpting her idols – the mothers who lost children to the war and the courageous women who were 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,” says Thanh at the opening of her art exhibition at the Women’s Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City.
“I always keep a big piece of clay with me whenever I go somewhere,” she adds.
In 2006, after meeting Vietnamese Heroic Mother Bui Thi Me, Thanh decided to focus on the women who had contributed to the country’s reunification efforts.
Over the past 10 years, she has visited hundreds of rural areas around the country and created at least 100 sculptures of the women she admires.
“I want the young generations to see the mothers’ sacrifices for the Vietnamese people and the |country’s liberation,” she says.
“With these examples, I hope young people will decide to help |their families and society.”
When meeting an heroic mother, Thanh first asks if she is willing to pose for her.
“They usually agree immediately following my explanation,” she says. “When I listen to the mothers talk about their lives, careers and family situations, I feel very emotional.”
On display at the exhibition are sculptures of 32 women who have been awarded either one or both of the titles Hero of the People’s Armed Forces 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, are from Long An Province, an area with one of the highest number of Heroic Mothers in the country.
Thanh says the exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of Southern |liberation and national reunification, which falls on April 30.
The works can be seen at the Women’s Cultural House, 188 Ly Chinh Thang Street, District 3, |in Ho Chi Minh City until May 4.
