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Tourist attraction: A lacquer painting by Luc Quoc Nhuong. |
HA NOI — Walking along Ha Noi's streets such as Hang Khay and Hang Gai, it is common to see groups of foreign tourists contemplating and buying souvenirs, many choosing lacquer paintings as gifts for their relatives.
"The first thing I do whenever I come to Viet Nam is to go to the fine art and handicraft streets in Ha Noi to seek out my favourite lacquer products," said Keiko from Japan.
Viet Nam's unique painting techniques and materials give its lacquer paintings their special character, she said.
Many foreigners want to learn how to make the paintings. After four months of studying, Liubov Fedovata, the wife of the Ukrainian Ambassador to Viet Nam, was able to put on a small exhibition of her own lacquer paintings.
In 2008, she organised an individual show entitled Ukrainian Arts, Inspiration from the Colourful Beauty of Viet Nam in HCM City.
Not just everyday people, but also many foreign artists are interested in the art of Vietnamese lacquer painting. In late 2009, young Vietnamese-American artist Nguyen Oanh Phi Phi put her lacquer paintings on show in Viet Nam.
For Phi, who was born and raised in the US city of Houston, Viet Nam remains a foreign country, despite being brought up in a Vietnamese family. Before arriving in Viet Nam to study lacquer paintings, she had to learn the Vietnamese language.
After two years, with help from her Vietnamese friends, Phi completed her dazzling work, Specula – mirrors reflecting the specific architectural space of Ha Noi through a lacquer painting drawn on the foundation of a curved dome.
In addition to lacquer paintings drawn on wood and iron foundations, the female artist also has a dream to restore the lacquer industry in Viet Nam.
For German artist Ursula, her interest in the medium originated from lacquer paintings that her husband bought during his Viet Nam visit 15 years ago. In 2005, she came to Viet Nam to learn the technique.
To showcase this unique art, the Ha Noi College of Fine Arts has since 1993 held a lacquer painting class for foreigners. From several trainees at the beginning, the class now regularly attracts about 30 students every session.
Born in the 18th century, Viet Nam's lacquer art has been refined and developed, especially from 1945-75 and 1985-90. In addition to serving the domestic market, Vietnamese lacquer products have been exported to many countries. — VNS