“Vietnam, the Landscape of memories” exhibition opens in Japan

Organized by the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum with support from the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka, the exhibition runs from September 13 to November 9.

Visitors will have the chance to admire silk paintings, oil paintings, and propaganda posters closely associated with the country’s image across different periods, from graceful strokes depicting the ideal of the motherland and the fervour of the resistance wars to scenes of rural life amid transformation.

The exhibition is structured into four thematic sections. The “Ideal – The Image of the Homeland in Every Stroke” section showcases works from the Indochina Art School, capturing the serene beauty of the Vietnamese countryside and the intellectual awakening of the early 20th century.

The section of "Spirit – The Reality of the Battlefield Everywhere” reflects the fervor of the national struggle. It brings viewers face-to-face with the patriotic resolve of that era. 

The part of “Development and Nostalgia – The Transformation of the Homeland” portrays Vietnam’s “Đổi Mới” (Renewal) period—an era of economic opening and rapid social transformation. And the “Memory – Living with History” section showcases modern art segment that delves into the stories and traumas of individuals and families shaped by wartime experiences.

A highlight of the exhibition is the “Nguyen Phan Chanh Artwork Restoration Project”, carried out by the Mitani Foundation. Nguyen Phan Chanh (1892-1984) is regarded as an outstanding silk painter of modern Vietnamese art. 

Many of his works have suffered damage over time due to climate conditions and war. However, sixteen of his silk works such as “Rice Harvest” (1960), “Crossing the River on Buffalo” (1967), and “Hide and Seek” (1939)—have been meticulously restored since 2007 by the artist’s family of Japanese conservator Iwai Kikuko, and the Mitani Foundation. 

The restoration project not only preserves Nguyen Phan Chanh’s artistic legacy but also serves as a cultural bridge between Vietnam and Japan.

The exhibition is expected to offer Japanese and international audiences deeper insight into the history and art of modern Vietnam, while further strengthening cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan.