Huy Toan

(Born in 1930 and currently lives and paints in Hanoi, Vietnam.)

An active combatant of the Revolution between 1946 and 1947, and eyewitness to the battle of Dien Bien Phu, Huy Toan produced meticulous illustrations of spirited battles and victory, which later were published in a book entitled, The Story of Dien Bien Phu. As a propaganda artist, Huy is known as one of the most celebrated illustrators, whose vigorous slogans coupled with highly poignant imagery of combat and war are still used to commemorate Vietnamese victories in national publications and postal stamps today.

Reflecting on his work, Toan mentions that when he first started drawing at 16, he was invigorated being able to sublimate his abhorrence generated by war into energy that helped him create empowering works, which incited others to action. Apart from his sketches and drawings, Huy also creates large sculptures, which are featured in the Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum.

From depictions of war and violence, Huy also illustrated significant national events such as President Ho’s Declaration of Independence. In his painting, “Celebrating Ho Chi Minh’s birthday in Dien Bien Phu,” a group of soldiers commemorate the special day with local ethnic minorities. This illustration is particularly significant, because of its depiction of unity and equality among different ethnic groups and classes in Vietnam, which extends to a more general sentiment for the state of country.

  • Works of Huy Toan
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    Tiếng Việt
    English