KVT – Wootcuts and women

Every time I see Ly Tran Quynh Giang’s work I want to applaud loudly. I may be barking up the wrong tree but her woodcuts always strike me as strong feminist statements.

Young male artists in Vietnam can comfortably sit back and make art that questions or satirizes a wide spectrum of societal and cultural issues while the women still have to engage the patriarchal constructs that pigeon hole them.

Was it co-incidence or good planning that this exhibition coincided with International Women’s Day when women in more liberated places join together and contemplate equalities gained and inequalities still needed to be addressed, whereas in countries that consciously subjugate females the day is used by men to shower women with flowers and gifts that seem to say ‘thanks for being content with your designated role’. Where the day has become just another excuse for flamboyant commercialism to reign supreme.

Giang’s extraordinarily powerful and beautiful work has been very effectively displayed… perhaps the best installation I’ve seen in Art Vietnam’s current premises.

Giang’s woodcuts seems to have gained a mellow quality and this adds to their strength.

It’s one of those exhibitions you’d be remiss to miss out on… and even if you’re not a feminist or supporter you’ll be mightily impressed.