Losing a leg in an accident, artist Kieu My Dung opens a photo gallery "Heroic past"

(NLDO) - Following the "Golden Apricot Charity" program to Can Tho City to visit and give gifts to artist Kieu My Dung, we were surprised to discover the photo exhibition space "Heroic Past".

Artist Kieu My Dung when she was the main actress, performing with People's Artist Minh Vuong

Coming to the art photo gallery of the artist couple Kieu My Dung - Tran Thien on Pham Ngu Lao Street, Thoi Binh Ward, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, we could not help but be moved. This art space is the destination for those who love the Cai Luong stage.

Portraits of two respected senior artists in the field of reformed theater: The late People's Artist Huynh Nga (director) and the late People's Artist Phan Phan (painter)

In 2004, the artist couple Tran Thien and Kieu My Dung were in a traffic accident on their way home from rehearsal, causing her to lose her left leg and his pelvis to break. Sixteen years have passed, but whenever they recall that incident, they are still scared. Kieu My Dung left the stage forever, even though the Tay Do Opera Troupe at that time tried to create opportunities for her to sing and perform in supporting roles.

"The play "Loi Tu Tinh Que Huong" was directed by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau for the Tay Do troupe in 2005. At that time, I had a prosthetic leg, and Mr. Tran Ngoc Giau wrote an additional role for me as a disabled mother in this play. When I stepped onto the stage after a long break, hearing the audience's applause, I was filled with emotion, as if it was my first time on stage" - artist Kieu My Dung said.

Artist couple Kieu My Dung - Tran Thien introduces photo gallery

Trying to overcome the incident, artist Kieu My Dung asked the agency's leadership for permission to take a stage directing class so she could stick with the profession. "No longer an actress, I became a director. After that, I staged for the children in the troupe, and was invited to teach and judge exams, not letting myself think that I was disabled" - she confided.

Artist Kieu My Dung when she performed with People's Artist Minh Vuong

Since retiring in 2016, artist Kieu My Dung and her husband have devoted all their minds to building a space to exhibit their artistic life's photos. "Because my parents left land in their will, my husband and I built a new house and returned the base house that the Tay Do troupe had given us to live in. Since we had a new house with a large space, the exhibition room was born," she said.

The photos that capture the colors of time are the happiness of the artist couple Tran Thien - Kieu My Dung

More than 200 photos capturing memories from the first days of her career until her accident and job transfer; of her roles and plays; of national festivals and competitions; and especially of the images of senior artists and masters who guided and supported artist Kieu My Dung in her career were displayed at "Heroic Past".

Artist Kieu My Dung through the portrait of the late People's Artist Phan Phan

What we pay most attention to are the wardrobes, suitcases, musical instruments, costumes, props, hats, swords... covered in the color of time displayed here. Artist Tran Thien - who was a musician, later became the Head of the Tay Do Cai Luong Troupe and then the Deputy Director of the Tay Do Cai Luong Theatre - said: "Every time I look back at the souvenirs that followed my wife and I on tour across the country, I am so moved that I am speechless. Now both my wife and I consider this space a joy. Many young actors and audiences also come to see and reminisce with us."

Documents, books, and stage scripts are displayed at the photo exhibition space of artist Kieu My Dung in Can Tho City.

It is not too ambitious to be included in the list of cultural and artistic tourist destinations by Can Tho City, but the photo exhibition space of the artist couple Kieu My Dung can organize performances of traditional music. This can create an effect for audiences and tourists to learn about the art of reformed opera like the model of the music house of People's Artist Phuong Bao, musician Duc Dau, and Meritorious Artist Tuyet Mai in Ho Chi Minh City.

Artist Kieu My Dung interviewed by Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper

Discussing the solution to train the young generation of artists, two artists from Can Tho expressed their enthusiasm. Artist Kieu My Dung said that the most important issue now is to create trust for the training team of lecturers. Because once they have the confidence to do the work of training human resources, they will wholeheartedly impart their experience in composing, directing and acting to their students.

"I hope that the provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta that have a training strategy must have a usage strategy. We cannot let the actors learn the profession and then fend for themselves. In particular, reviving the reformed theater requires solidarity and synchronization from each artist to the facility where they are working. Bringing theater into schools is an effective educational method because through plays, operas, reformed theater excerpts... humanistic lessons and messages of good will touch the souls of students. Through that, students will understand more about the traditional culture of the nation. Ho Chi Minh City has taken the lead in organizing school theater, and Can Tho City will follow suit. I hope that after the epidemic is over, Can Tho will promote this strategy. We, despite our limited health, will continue to take the lead in training human resources for the Can Tho City theater" - Artist Kieu My Dung confided

Below are some photos displayed at the art photo space of artist Kieu My Dung:

Artist Kieu My Dung and teacher - People's Artist Nguyen Ngoc Phuong

Artist Kieu My Dung and Meritorious Artist Thanh Kim Hue

Artist Tran Thien and People's Artist Huynh Nga

Artist Kieu My Dung

Artist Tran Thien still accompanies his wife - Artist Kieu My Dung in training human resources for the reformed theater stage in Can Tho City.

Artist Kieu My Dung and Artist Hong Thuy - her favorite students won the gold medal at the Tran Huu Trang award.

Artist Kieu My Dung and Meritorious Artist Phuong Loan

Theater cabinets, touring suitcases, and certificates of a lifetime devoted to the stage are displayed at artist Kieu My Dung's art space.

Artist Tran Thien and People's Artist - Director Tran Ngoc Giau

Source: https://nld.com.vn/van-nghe/mat-mot-chan-vi-tai-nan-nghe-si-kieu-my-dung-trien-lam-anh-qua-khu-kieu-hung-20200823081739576.htm