Nearly 100 paintings on the theme of ‘hau dong’ (spirit mediumship) are on display at an exhibition that opened in Hanoi on May 21.

A painting on display at the exhibition (Photo: thuonggiaonline.vn)

Utilising various genres of media, the 24 participating artists convey their different views on the traditional Vietnamese religious practice through their paintings.

Painter Le Hai, who brought two paintings to the event, shared that he was excited to take part in the exhibition as ‘hau dong’ is quite a new theme for most artists. However, he also found that it was a tough task to deal with the abstract concept of the practice.

The topic requires the artists to have a certain understanding of it as well as what is intended to feature on the paintings, he said.

The practice of ‘hau dong’, in honour of Mother Goddesses, was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritages of humanity in 2016.

The exhibition, which aims to provide the public with a closer look into the ‘hau dong’ ritual, will run until May 27, at the Centre for Fine Arts and Photography, 29 Hang Bai Street, Hoan Kiem district.

Nhan Dan