Exploring our land

Hang Trong modern folk paintings

13/11/2021

One important thing in the preservation efforts of Hang Trong folk paintings was the project entitled "From tradition to tradition" launched by the Vietnam University of Fine Arts in late 2020.

According to Nguyen The Son, a lecturer at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts, Hang Trong street before 1954 was busy selling both drums and paintings. The paintings were once very popular among Hanoians. However, the craft is fading now as there remains only artist, Le Dinh Nghiem, who still strives to preserve the folk art.

With the help of Nghiem, Artists Nguyen The Son and Trieu Khac Tien and students at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts have worked on the project “From tradition to tradition”.

Members of the project “From tradition to tradition" make their Hang Trong
paintings on lacquer material. Photo: “From tradition to tradition" Files

The techniques of texturing by grinding. Photo: “From tradition to tradition" Files

Typical paintings made with traditional paint and lacquer techniques. Photo: “From tradition to tradition" Files

Painting the patterns on silk. Photo: “From tradition to tradition" Files

Creating art. Photo: “From tradition to tradition" Files

Painting the ancient patterns on silk. Photo: “From tradition to tradition" Files

Painting the ancient patterns on lanterns. Photo: “From tradition to tradition" Files

The process of making artworks in preparation for the exhibition of a group of
students from the Faculty of Painting at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts. Photo:
“From tradition to tradition" Files

A visitor at the exhibition. Photo: Cong Dat/VNP

Hang Trong paintings on wood and fabric materials. Photo: Cong Dat / VNP

An exhibition of Hang Trong folk paintings in 2020 is a part of the project. The exhibition which displayed paintings by 30 students made from Vietnamese traditional materials including silk and lacquer attracted 2,000 visitors. In continuation of the project, another exhibition was held in Hanoi’s Nam communal house in March. The works by young artists were all inspired from Hang Trong folk paintings.

Artist Trieu Khac Tien said that there are many similarities between Hang Trong paintings and the art of lacquer and silk paintings. Hang Trong paintings use very delicate strokes, which are similar to the stroke technique of lacquer paintings. To help viewers understand more about new Hang Trong paintings, artists put a note on each work about how the painting is inspired.

To do the work “Ly ngu vong nguyet” (Carp Looking at the Moon) and “Chim cong” (Peacock), Artist Nguyen Thi Nhu Quynh combined details of Hang Trong paintings with lacquer. The artworks have brought new emotions to viewers.

The work "Illumination of memories" by artist Nguyen Cam Nhung has directed viewers back to tradition, reopening folklore through the familiar images of the paintings “Thay do coc” (Toad master) and “Ca chep vuot vu mon” (Carp jumping over the Rain Gate to transform into a dragon)
Artist Nguyen The Son added that the project "From Tradition to Tradition" is like a connection between Hang Trong craftspeople and young artists. The project is not only meaningful as an art project, but it is also an architectural project when blended in the communal space associated with the history of Hang Trong folk paintings.