Suanesavanh Vignaket and other officials cut the ribbon to open the Lao-Chinese-Thai art exhibition in Vientiane on Jan 16. - VT
VIENTIANE: Artists from three countries come together in a show of cultural unity to display works that reflect the nature, lifestyle and history of their native environments.
The three-day Lao-Chinese-Thai art exhibition by famous artists from the three nations opened at the National Culture Hall on Tuesday in a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Suanesavanh Vignaket.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of the ministry’s Heritage Department, Phakhanxay Sikhanxay, said the exhibition was organised to give the artists a wider platform for their work and enable members of the public to gain an insight into the creative ideas of other painters in the region.
The exhibition featured 61 paintings created by 24 Lao artists, 117 paintings by nine Chinese artists, and 50 paintings by 13 Thai artists.
The pictures shone a light on iconic aspects of life in the three countries and included paintings of animals, important cultural and historical sites, and portraits.
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Vansy Kuamua said the artistic display by the three countries in the same location was the first event of its kind and was a great encouragement to Lao artists, who often struggle to find exhibition space and publicise their work.
The exhibition was also a valuable opportunity for Lao artists to observe and learn from the skills of painters in China and Thailand, he added.
At the same time, it was a big step forward in promoting the creative arts and inspiring greater interest in artistic pursuits, as well as helping to develop the skills of Lao artists, Vansy said. - Vientiane Times/ANN
