Vietnamese village in Binh Duong lacquer paintings

The sweetness and simplicity of the Vietnamese village landscape are always the endless creative inspiration of writers and artists. This beauty is more unique when it is shown on lacquer paintings in Binh Duong.

Reminiscence of beautiful memory

Having the opportunity to learn about the topic of home landscape paintings, we were more impressed with the lacquer paintings by Binh Duong artists. According to artisan Tran Le Tri, the owner of Minh Nguyet lacquer factory, the image of Vietnamese countryside with familiar and idyllic scenes is a gift of many Western guests and overseas Vietnamese. This year, lacquer paintings featuring buffalo images such as "Muc dong thoi sao” (Playing Flute while Herding Buffalo), "Ngu-tieu-canh-muc" (Fisherman-woodcutter-farmer-herdsman) ... are  bought by many customers.

The "Peace" work by artisan Nguyen Tan Cong wins the A prize of the 6th Huynh Van Nghe Literature and Art Award

Also with this topic, many artisans have made a strong impression on visitors through many applied lacquer products. At Tu Bon, Nam Tinh, Minh Nguyet lacquer establishments ..., the image of rustic village reminiscent of the homeland such as the scene of meeting the bride and bringing her home, the roof of communal houses, pagodas, the white fields covered with storks, cranes, or buffaloes, cows, chickens, fish ... are created by artists in diversification with many sizes on products. According to Thai Kim Dien, Chairman of Binh Duong Sculpture - Lacquer Association, before 1975, lacquer paintings about Vietnamese village had many beautiful and exquisite works. After the liberation, despite having many efforts, artisans have not had many excellent works yet. However, the line of lacquer paintings has left many impressions. With artisans ‘masterstroke, these works have become more wonderful with the landscapes showing the Vietnamese countryside from bamboo, water wharf, boat to farmers’ daily life...

Always prevailing

At the 2016 provincial Fine Arts - Photography Exhibition, we had the opportunity to enjoy many unique lacquer works by artisans. And we were be most impressed with the work "Heritage" by artisan Nguyen Chi Chanh. According to the artist, it took more than 2 months for him to complete this work. In the painting, there were ancient people’s agricultural tools such as rice mortars, arrows ... that were used to  discover and form up our country today. With strong passion for this topic, many lacquer artisans in Binh Duong won many high awards at regional and national art playgrounds over the past time. Many paintings, namely  “Song que” (Homeland river), "Ben duc" (Murky pier) by artisan Nguyen Tan Cong, "Chuyen tro” (Conversation) by artisan Nguyen Quang, "Sam tuong” (Preparation for classical’ drama)…, left  an indelible impression on visitors at many exhibitions.

Despite experiencing many ups and downs together with the country’s historical periods, Binh Duong lacquer sector has always developed and shone. The paintings about Vietnamese countryside evoking beautiful memories have increasingly inspired the composers and the spectators to take more positive actions in preserving the beauty of Vietnamese culture and people.

Reported by Thuc Van-Translated by K.T