The fourth ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition was officially launched in Hanoi on May 31 by the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

An artwork by Ma Victoria Abano of the Philippines won third place in the 2024 ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition. Photo: VOV

According to the organizing committee, the event is held periodically every four years in Vietnam and provides a playground for regional artists to showcase their talents, share experiences and new techniques in creating artworks, as well as promote cultural exchange and international cooperation amongASEAN countries.

Ma The Anh, Head of the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition, said the competition also aims to confirm Vietnam's position in the field of fine arts in the ASEAN region.

Citizens from 10 ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, are now encouraged to submit their entries to the organizing committee via email: aseangraphicarts2024@gmail.com by August 5, 2024.

The artworks in the competition depict various landscapes and aspects of life in different ASEAN countries, while also addressing issues relevant to each country in the region.

Submitted artwork should be created between 2020 and 2024 and may include woodcuts, metal engravings, plaster engravings, rubber engravings, prints on stone, one-of-a-kind prints, and other forms of graphic art.

The themes of the entries should focus on life, people, natural landscapes, peace, solidarity, cooperation and friendship, as well as contemporary issues.

The organizing committee plans to award one first prize, three second prizes, five third prizes and seven consolation prizes to artists with excellent entries.

About 200 graphic works will also be selected for art exhibitions to be held in Hanoi or Haiphong in December this year.

The ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition was first held in 2012, and this year marks the fourth edition of the event.