Sculptor Truong Cong Thanh and his lifetime works

In the house of sculptor Truong Cong Thanh on Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho City, there is a space for displaying his beautiful sculptures. Not only that, many people must have admired his historical artworks somewhere in Can Tho, but did not know that he was the author…

The Ong Hao Victory Relic Site in Truong Long Commune stands out with its majestic relief monuments, towering in the sky. The monument is sculpted harmoniously, highlighting the meaning of victory along with the reliefs recounting the event, especially the detail of the enemy using bombers to destroy the terrain and Ong Hao Catholic Church, killing 121 innocent people, including 112 parishioners. As a result of the battle, we destroyed 889 enemies, wiped out the notorious "Black Tiger" battalion, shot down 1 plane and captured many trophies. With so many events and details, the author chose valuable details, touching stories, and told them on the background of Phong Dien garden space. The work was carved in stone, remaining forever.

The author of that work is sculptor Truong Cong Thanh. Another work of his is the Ong Cuu Victory Monument in Cai Rang Ward. The monument has a majestic, heroic demeanor, exuding the feat of the Tay Do Battalion in the war against the US in Ong Cuu canal.

Sculptor Truong Cong Thanh next to the sculpture exhibition space.

There are no exact statistics, but perhaps sculptor Truong Cong Thanh is one of the largest sculptors of historical monuments and reliefs in the country today. Some examples include the Monument in the shape of a boat carrying a heavy burden across the sea, marking the location of the event welcoming more than 1,800 former political prisoners from Con Dao returning after the successful August Revolution in September 1945 in Dai Ngai commune; the relief marking the location where the US imperialists massacred innocent people at Cau Nhiem in 1966 in Phong Dien commune; the Monument commemorating the establishment of the National Liberation Front Committee of Southern Can Tho province in Thanh Xuan commune; the Monument to the Battle of Le Binh in Cai Rang ward, the Monument to the Victory of Chay Dap in Thanh Hoa commune, the Monument to Heroes Thieu Van Choi, Luu Huu Phuoc, Chau Van Liem... Currently, these works are all located in Can Tho city. In addition, there are many monuments and memorial steles made by sculptor Truong Cong Thanh in the Eastern and Western provinces of the South, displayed in museums, galleries, etc. At the thematic exhibition on 50 years of literary and artistic achievements of Can Tho, last April 2025, Can Tho City Museum dedicated a solemn space to introduce manuscripts of his works.

Sculptor Truong Cong Thanh, 74 years old, was born and raised in the center of Can Tho City. After passing the Baccalaureate, at the suggestion of his sister who saw that he had a talent for painting, he enrolled and passed the Gia Dinh Painting School, a famous school at that time, the predecessor of the current Ho Chi Minh City University of Fine Arts. At that school, after the first years of basic study, he chose to major in sculpture, guided by famous teachers. After 7 years of study, he graduated and taught at the Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts, also a famous school in the field of fine arts. After about 9 years of teaching, he returned to Can Tho to live, lectured at a number of schools and focused on his work of creating sculpture.

Talking about creating monumental sculptures and reliefs, sculptor Truong Cong Thanh said that first of all, one must understand the historical context, events, and stories from many sources such as historical witnesses, documents, and reality. Then, he sketches the layout and content on paper and gradually performs the sculpture. The important thing when sculpting and making reliefs is the proportions of the human body, gestures, and emotions in each detail such as eyes, smiles, solemnity, hand and foot gestures, etc. "For example, I hear a lot of details and stories about a certain victory, I listen and take note of everything. When I get home, I filter and choose the most valuable, touching, and important details, and then sketch them out," sculptor Truong Cong Thanh said.

At the special national relic of the Southern Central Bureau Base (Tay Ninh province), there are two Victory Monuments of Can Tho City Police (made in 2010) and Hau Giang Province Police (previously made in 1998), both created and constructed by sculptor Truong Cong Thanh. As a companion of sculptor Truong Cong Thanh in both projects, each of which took many months, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Phong (currently Vice President of the Association of Former Police Officers of Can Tho City) was impressed by his meticulousness, diligence, willingness to listen to the group and seriousness in his work. The work he made was very elaborate and after its completion, everyone highly appreciated it in many aspects.

After nearly half a century of working, sculptor Truong Cong Thanh has left behind many valuable works, both in terms of art and history. Looking at his works, today's generation feels more proud of their national traditions and understands more about their homeland's history.

Article and photos: DANG HUYNH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nha-dieu-khac-truong-cong-thanh-va-nhung-tac-pham-de-doi-a190660.html