A painting by late artist Lưu Cong Nhan was auctioned to raise funds to support COVID-19 hospitals by collector Bui Quốc Chí. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HCM CITY — More than 100 artists and art collectors have participated in a painting auction to raise funds for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

The auction was organised recently by fine art critic Lý Đợi, journalist Văn Bảy of Thể Thao & Văn Hoa (Sports&Culture) newspaper, and their partner, Le Quang Đong. 

Đợi’s staff collected the paintings donated by artists and collectors for display and auction on Facebook. 

A painting by veteran artist Thanh Chương of Ha Noi has been auctioned online to raise funds for COVID-19 hospitals. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

They have received 90 paintings by Vietnamese artists, including veteran painters Lưu Cong Nhan, Thanh Chương and Le Triều Điển. 

Famous artists such as Đỗ Trung Quan, Đặng Tiến, Chinh Le, Bui Hoang Dương, Trần Thảo Hiền, Giang Van and Hoang Võ are also included. 

Many paintings capture images of women, flowers, landscapes and historic sites. 

A painting by Lưu Triều Điển, one of 100 artists who has joined a painting auction to support COVID-19 patients in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

Paintings by late artist Nguyễn Quốc Thai, Nguyễn Quốc Thắng and Ngo Bình Nhi were auctioned on Tuesday. 

The auction began last Friday and after three days, 70 paintings sold for a total of VNĐ1 billion (US$43,680).

The money will be used to buy 20 hospital beds, medical equipment, machinery and medicine for the No. 5 COVID-19 field hospital at Thuận Kiều Plaza in District 5. 

The 1,000-bed field hospital has three floors with a total area of ​​more than 30,000 square metres. It opened on July 22. 

“Many customers sent their photos to us after the auction. We plan to open a new auction next week,” said journalist Bảy. 

“We hope to raise money for 20 wheelchairs for COVID-19 patients." — VNS