Uplifting children with disabilities through artworks

THE HANOI TIMES — The painting exhibition in partnership with the Vietnam University of Fine Arts at Pan Pacific Hanoi until May 2 is attracting art lovers and international guests to the heart of the capital.

The exhibition displays photos selected from the painting competition launched in September 2024 to have innovative artworks on the issues of Nature, Environment, Society, Global Innovations, and Community building. 

In the five months since its launch, the hotel received 112 entries from 99 artists. These artworks conveyed diverse narratives through materials ranging from oil on canvas and paper cutting to wood carving, lacquer, and traditional paper.

Fourteen 14 promising young talents from the competition were honored for their exceptional artworks, each of which conveys a profound, humanistic message. 

Wee Wei Ling, Director of Sustainability, Lifestyle and Asset Management at Pan Pacific Hotels Group, said she was impressed by the doubling of entries this year, especially the positive spirit of the entrants with disabilities.

"The annual competition helps to keep the flame of passion alive for young people, spreading their voices and individual identities through each piece of art," she said.

The award ceremony became emotional with the presence of contestant Huynh Thi Thanh. The young girl who paints with her feet, the inspiring winner of the 2024 competition, shared her story of a year-long journey to learn to paint with her feet instead of her hands.

The story of Bui Thi Hao, the young girl who paints with her mouth and created this year's third prize winning painting, also demonstrates the extraordinary strength hidden within small but resilient individuals.