Chau Tram Anh, the creator of the sculpture showcased at the Provincial Museum and the Historical Site of War Zone D, is recognized as a sculptor, educator, and emerging entrepreneur. He also embodies the vibrant artistic community of Binh Duong.
Chau Tram Anh consistently explores and creates works that reflect the land and people of Binh Duong, driven by passion for narrating stories about the homeland through the medium of sculpture.
He expressed that he has cherished drawing and sculpting since childhood, despite being born into a farming family. His artwork consistently features images of bamboo hedges, rice fields, village roads, kites soaring in the wind, and animals associated with farmers, such as buffalo, cows, horses, and dogs.
In his formative years, his works increasingly portrayed ordinary villagers, narratives centered on artisan communities, and historical tales of a valiant land.
His relentless training, coupled with his innate talent, enabled him to graduate as valedictorian from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts in the 2005-2010 cohort. He is currently employed at Binh Duong Cultural Fine Arts College, while still dedicating time to his creative pursuits. Through his unwavering commitment to research and creation, along with a series of prestigious awards, Chau Tram Anh was admitted to the Binh Duong Literature and Arts Association in 2011, became a member of the sculpture division of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, and an associate member of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association in 2012.
He dedicates himself to a creative domain that embodies his respect and gratitude for the land and people of Binh Duong, as well as for the sacrifices of his predecessors. This domain encompasses the theme of national history and the portrayal of revolutionary heroes. History, with its grandeur and poetic beauty, constitutes a work of art in its own right. Embracing this concept, Chau Tram Anh infuses life into the historical documents he examines, thereby producing works of artistic significance. The soldiers who sacrificed for the Fatherland, the heroic Vietnamese mothers, and each era of national history serve as profound sources of inspiration for his creations.
In acknowledgment of Chau Tram Anh's contributions to the province, the Provincial Literature and Arts Association published the book ART Chau Tram Anh in 2020, documenting his works throughout his creative journey. With the talent and passion of an artist, Chau Tram Anh is poised to produce many more remarkable works of art. |
In the relief section, Chau Tram Anh is particularly captivated by the five terracotta reliefs from War Zone D, Binh Duong, designed and constructed in 2020. These reliefs commemorate the heroic historical narratives of the local populace. They represent the Fighting Village of five communes: Tan Hoa, My Loc, Tan Tich, Thuong Long, and Lac An; the Battle of Ba Kien Bridge Watchtower; the Battle of Phuoc Thanh (September 17 and 18, 1961); the Battle of Bong Trang - Nha Do (December 24, 1966); and the historic flood of the year Nham Thin (1952). The reliefs vividly illustrate the people and landscape of War Zone D, encapsulating a period marked by resilience and valor. It is only through a deep pride in the history and heroic traditions of one's hometown that one can infuse such a work with genuine soul and emotion.
Meanwhile, the relief at the Provincial Museum (constructed in 2022) serves as a miniature representation of Binh Duong, capturing the landscape, craft villages, and the people of Binh Duong throughout the ages, vividly rendered by a sculptor dedicated to his craft. Regarding the creation of the relief, Chau Tram Anh expressed his "great pride and honor" in the trust placed in him by provincial leaders to design and construct the piece. These works hold significant historical importance, commemorating the achievements and sacrifices of our army and citizens during two resistance wars fought for national freedom. “This relief complex recreates the achievements and revolutionary struggles of the army and people of Binh Duong - Song Be. It is also the largest terracotta work in the country to date, centered on the theme of the modern revolutionary war. The artistic value lies in the use of simultaneous, stylized, and exaggerated techniques to emphasize the core content expressed in the relief,” Chau Tram Anh shared.
Mr. Ngo Phuoc Chanh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association, remarked that Chau Tram Anh is a member who consistently engages in research and creation, resulting in numerous works that are both practical and artistically significant. In her role as an educator, Chau Tram Anh passionately guides her students while maintaining a strict approach to "training" the younger generation. She also channels her enthusiasm for historical writing towards inspiring youth, consistently encouraging and motivating talented students eager to advance in the captivating realm of fine arts.
Chau Tram Anh's accomplishments in recent years: - 2021: Vinh Long Monument - A region renowned for its talented individuals, was chosen for development. - 2022: Portrait of Nguyen Sinh Sac (bronze) - Second prize in the Training Equipment Model Competition held every three years by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and second prize awarded by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Long-haired Army Monument - Second prize; Ma Ke Monument - Second prize in the competition organized by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ben Tre Province. - 2023: Southern Love Song (white stone) - second prize, National Sculpture Competition and Exhibition in Hanoi. Binh Duong New City Convergence and Development (synthesis) - second prize, Binh Duong Fine Arts Competition and Exhibition. |
Reported by Quynh Nhu - Translated by Vi Bao
