On September 20th, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum (VWM) collaborated with the Australian Embassy to organize an art exhibition titled “Rethink” by Artist Bianca Hoffrichter. We were honored to have the presence of Ms. Stacey Nation – Counsellor of Political and Strategic Communications, Australian Embassy, Mr. Do Duc Manh – General Counsellor at Trung Vuong Secondary School, students and the staff of the Australian Embassy.”Rethink” introduces to visitors 100 artworks made purely from plastics including clothes, paintings and ornaments, as well as themed photos about the habit of using plastic bags in our daily lives. Displayed at the exhibition are artworks of 15 students from several secondary schools in Hanoi such as Giang Vo School, Nguyen Sieu School, Nguyen Truong To School and Hanoi – Amsterdam Gifted School.

Bianca Hoffrichter is a multidisciplinary artist who has spent some time living in Vietnam and getting to know the Vietnamese lifestyle. She wants the exhibition to be “an open dialogue about the habit of using plastics in our daily lives”. She hopes that it will somehow change the way people think about plastics as it will generate greater awareness about the need to protect the environment in Vietnam.

Nguyen Phuong Anh, a student of class 7A from the Hanoi – Amsterdam Gifted School, whose artworks are featured at the exhibition shared her thoughts, “We can finally show people that it is possible to turn plastics into art. The exhibition is not only about being creative; it also changes the way we think about plastic waste.” With the help of Artist Bianca at an art workshop prior to the exhibition, these students have learned that there are ways to change the habit of using plastic bags; and that exhibitions like this will help spread the message of saving the environment through small acts. This is also a new approach VWM makes in reflecting and bringing concepts about social issues closer to younger generation.

Delivering her speech at the opening ceremony, Ms. Stacey Nation emphasized, “This exhibition is among many other activities that NCP students have done with different Vietnamese communities, contributing to and enhancing people-to-people links between our two countries and the development of Vietnam. Through the exhibition organisers being open to displaying the artworks made by pupils, this brings art closer to daily life. It proves that everyone is creative, they have their own way to protect the environment, and we treasure all of their effort.”

The Exhibition “Rethink” is open to public from September 20th to September 30th. VWM would like to welcome everyone, especially students to visit and have some fun and experience the interactive art table with us at the exhibition.