Present Encounters : Papers from the conference of the Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, 1996

As students at art school, many of them got higher marks than their male counterparts, graduating with distinction. But demands of housework and severe living conditions wore away much artistic potential. Time restrictions have led to specialisation and steadfastness i n style. Those few women who have persevered have become experts in their field, win ning recognition i n nation-wide exhibitions, as well as abroad . Their frequent participation in important arts-related activities in the past years affirms their potential, and their professional prestige is g rowing . Many are members of artistic councils and juries or hold great responsibilities in administration . This has been the case throughout most periods of artistic development in Vietnamese art history. More than ever they will play a decisive role in the future , and professional prestige and social influences will not deny them of femininity. Women have the ability to wed sweet, warm feminine grace with robust, callous, monumental beauty and intellect. Women strive to preserve and nurture traditions - from customs and rites to songs and lullabies. They bring harmony between the present and the past i n cultural exchange and cu ltural development. I n closing I wish to state that art is humanism . Rooted i n the depths of our being, it is the voice of our times. It has an all-pervasive presence. It is sensitive to social forces. Its development relies upon the talent and virtue of those who work for it - whether male or female . . . and it is in these individuals that we must place our hope. 1 1 2