Heartbeat of Heritage: Global artists unite in Hoi An
DNO - Heartbeat of Heritage, an international art residency organised by Asia Art Link (AAL) and the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, runs at the Da Nang Museum of Fine Arts from October 27 to November 10.
AAL is founded in 2005 by Vietnamese painter Trinh Tuan and Malaysian artist Ng Bee, reflecting their shared vision to honor heritage through the voices of artists across Asia.
Over one week in Hoi An, 38 artists from countries including Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam gathered to create, exchange ideas, and find inspiration in Vietnam’s nature and culture.
Their works collectively capture fleeting yet profound impressions of heritage landscapes and human connection.
For Chinese artist Han-wen Chang, the residency brought an unforgettable experience. On October 31, a sudden flood swept through the Hoi An ancient town after heavy rain.
“The rain in Hoi An was truly beautiful. But that night, a flood arrived unexpectedly. We hurried to pack our belongings, and by 3 a.m., everyone was evacuated. Even in that chaos, we found moments of beauty and deep connection. It became a memory I will never forget”, Han-wen Chang recalled.
American artist Don Ray McKinney, with over 50 years in visual arts, joined the Heartbeat of Heritage residency in Hoi An. Immersed in local life and heritage, he found inspiration in everyday experiences.
Moving from analytical to intuitive approaches, Don Ray blends warm and cool tones, light and shadow, exploring colour interactions as a language of emotion.
His work captures both the vibrancy of Hoi An and the deep resonance of its culture, transforming observation and feeling into dynamic, expressive art that reflects the living spirit of place.
Artist Tran Manh Linh, a member of the organizing committee of Heartbeat of Heritage, said the exhibition creates a vibrant network connecting young Vietnamese artists with international peers, emerging creators with mentors, and local art with global audiences.
This spirit reflects the vision of AAL, a non-profit art collective that has spent nearly two decades fostering artistic exchange and community growth.
According to artist Trinh Tuan, AAL’s network now spans 11 Southeast Asian countries and regions such as China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, S. Korea, and Taiwan (China), as well as numerous artists from Europe and the Americas.
Its rotating art camps allow creators to explore and engage with local cultures, enriching their perspectives through shared experience.
By choosing Hoi An, Vietnam’s treasured heritage town, as the site for its latest art camp, AAL once again affirms its philosophy: art must begin from life itself, from the raw, authentic roots of human and cultural identity.
Beyond differences of skin, language or tradition, what remains is the enduring bond of creativity, the pulse that keeps communities connected across borders and generations.