VietNamNet Bridge – Artworks by about 21 artists from India, Indonesia and Viet Nam are on display at an exhibition called Hoi An Convergence now open in the central coastal city of Hoi An.

We are here: Umar Chusaeni with one of his paintings, Diana Hubbell. — Photo Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia

The exhibition, which will run from October 3-27, is organised by Thanh Ha Terracotta Park and D.A.N Studio Viet Nam in co-operation with the Iimanjawa Art House in Indonesia and Easel Art Foundation in India.

The artists – six Vietnamese, six Indonesians and nine Indians – have presented a total of 52 paintings.

The six Vietnamese artists are Nguyen Ngoc Dan, Nguyen Thi Mai, Ngo Dong, Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Dang Thi Thu An, Nguyen Duc Huy. Those from India are Wahida Ahmed, Simanta Barua, Niva Devi, Shampa Sirca Das, Vishal Joshi, Tejinder Kanda and Jagmohan Bangani.

Indonesia’s Erika, Sujono, Umar Chusaeni, Utami Atosia, Wawan Geni and Yashumi Ishii have displayed 25 works on Indonesian culture and the daily lives of residents at the Borobudur temple complex.

Many hands: Artists work together on a painting at Limanjawi Art House Borobudur in Indonesia. — Photo yogya-backpacker.com

Umar Chusaeni, coordinator of the Borobudur Indonesia Artists Community (KSBI) and owner of the Limanjawi Art House Borobudur, said that the works also featured Indonesian flora and fauna as well as aspects of gotong royong (a concept involving mutual co-operation) among the Borobudur community.

His own work, Meditasi Pagi (Morning Meditation) depicts Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, with a picture of an eclipse in its skies. In the background stand two elephants, a rooster and a goat.

Chusaeni said the ongoing exhibition provided Indonesian artists with the opportunity to draw inspiration from international artists. “It will help Borobudur artists to improve their quality of work,” he added.

He said that since Hoi An was a popular destination for international tourists, artists could use the exhibition to promote Borobudur through their work.

Visitors to the exhibition can watch Jingkrak Sundang and Jamping and Headbutt contemporary dances, performed by Indonesian artists.

On the opening day, the artists had a painting exchange day with children of the Thanh Ha pottery village in the central province of Quang Nam. 

VNS