Within the framework of the cooperation project between Mekong fine arts group and other colleges of arts in the year of 2018, College of arts – Hue University held a lacquer workshop with the participation of artists from Thailand.
Talking about the history of lacquer and its development process, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thanh Binh, Rector of Hue University College of Arts – Hue University said lacquer painting appeared in Vietnam history as early as 2500 years and it is evaluated as highly as lacquer painting in China and Japan, etc
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The workshop is to introduce the traditional material of Vietnam to the neighboring countries.
Since the 17th century, the one thousand-arm and one thousand - eye statue of Guan Yin Thap But Pagoda (BacNinh Province) has always been covered with lacquer trimmed with gold like many other wood statues covered with paint for protection. This proves to be very successful . Lacquer has been of international interest since long.
At the beginning of the 20th century, French artists already used lacquer in their paintings. Lacquer attracted more attention when Indochina Fine Arts College was founded in 1925.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Thanh Binh also introduced to Thai painters about Rhus succedaneum, how to make paint from it, the way to purify the paint, the process of making lacquer paintings, eggshell inlay technique, royal vignettes decorated with lacquer, as well as potential applications of lacquer.
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Opening opportunities of cooperation in fine arts creation and training with Thailand
In the history of Vietnam fine arts, there are many painters successful in lacquer paintings like Nguyen Gia Tri, Pham Gia Giang, Le Pho, Nguyen Khang, Ho Si Ngoc, Truong Be, etc
“Lacquer painting has a long tradition, and it needs to be conserved”, Mr. Phan Thanh Binh emphasized.
The workshop aims to exchange and disseminate art knowledge, cultural tradition of Mekong region, as well as introduces ASEAN members to the artists, the students and the public interested in art creation. The workshop also opens opportunities to cooperate with Thailand in research, in art creation and in training lacquer painters .
Story and photos: Trang Hien