Tri works on his boat in his workshop.

HA NOI (VNS) — A new sculpture exhibition in Ha Noi invites the public to think about the significance of boats and water in Viet Nam's history and development.

In his first solo exhibition entitled A Trip, which opened today at the Viet Nam National Museum of Fine Arts, artist Tran Trong Tri has made a series of boats using wood, bamboo, inox, composites and sawdust. The largest work measures 15m.

The works of Tri, who teaches at the Viet Nam University of Fine Arts, are inspired by the images of boats and water. He wants to tell stories of the development of the country since its early period.

He depicts different images of boats set in fairy tales, legends, war and in daily life.

Tri said, "Boats and water are objects that are very familiar and important in Vietnamese people's lives. Boats can tell several stories about love, the ups and downs in life, existence and belief and hope.

"The Vietnamese people have always called their country as Nuoc (the water)."

The week-long exhibition features his sculptures in experimental forms and techniques. His artistic experience has contributed to his journey of self-discovery.

"The things that I consider, the figures that I finish…overall, they help me to exploit and experiment with the expressive ability of materials, forms and methods of showcasing sculptures in space," Tri said.

"More generally, I want to find the creative spirit in our long history and culture to find myself in the present," he said.

Tri creates the image of water for an exhibit. Photos courtesy Tran Trong Tri

Tri will talk about art in a meet that will be open to the public on Wednesday at 2 pm at the museum.

Tri learned sculpting at the Ha Noi Fine Arts College and graduated in 2007. In 2009, he took part in an international workshop in Phu Tho province with his stone sculpture entitled Con Duong Long Ngong (Way made of Goose Feather), and in Hau Giang province with the stone artwork entitled Vet Dan (Trace of the Bullets). With those creations, he showed his interest in the country's history, beginning with legends and continuing with his own life experiences.

Con Duong Long Ngong is now installed at the Hung temple in Phu Tho district, being inspired from the legend of the couple My Chau – Trong Thuy. The artwork Vet Dan is installed at Xa No district, Hau Giang province. Tri created it after he saw the bullets that hit tree trunks during war time, and which can still be seen in the country's south-western forests.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition will be held at 5pm today at the museum, located at 66, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ha Noi. The show will run till Sunday. — VNS