On March 3, 2024, the event series "Giua: Phong sac" was officially launched to the public at MAI Gallery (113 Hang Bong, Hanoi) . The event series was organized by Dragon Sigma lacquer studio, with many interesting activities, including an exhibition displaying 30 lacquer works. Notably, the works displayed at the exhibition are all works by non-professionals, first-time users of lacquer. Not limited to themes such as banyan trees, wells... that we often see in traditional lacquer, with a somewhat freer, more liberal and closer approach, each painting at the exhibition is a slice of expression showing the style and thinking of a range of young people towards lacquer.
Why "File: Style"?
"Filing" - inspired by the grinding technique in lacquer, the activity name aims at the spirit of constantly honing oneself. At the same time, the exhibition title is a wordplay implying "launching", bringing hope for forward movement.
Painter Pham Khac Thang - founder of Dragon Sigma studio said, "Giua" will be an annual activity organized by Dragon Sigma starting this year. "In the past 2 years, Dragon Sigma has started with quite difficult steps, but is also shaping and asserting itself. Previously, when Dragon Sigma first started operating, Thang had the intention of closing the studio because as you know, lacquer is a subject that is quite difficult for everyone to approach. However, gradually, the classes attracted more attention, the students were also quite excited about lacquer, rekindling Thang's love and passion for lacquer. I am very happy to open this exhibition with the contribution of the students. This has created the success of the project."
The event series "Filing: Phong Sac" is organized by Dragon Sigma - a lacquer studio for amateurs founded by artist Pham Khac Thang, where 30 works of students are displayed.
The authors of the 30 works at the exhibition are beginners, so the works are very natural and emotional - something that professionals sometimes lose through the process of development and long-term practical experience.
Going back in time, Vietnamese lacquer painting, since 1932, has undergone nearly a century of development. From the "static" of a thousand years of decoration, lacquer was liberated to move towards the "dynamic" of freedom and liberty. The lacquer revolution in the past was so successful that it astonished the whole world, completely destroying doubts about the artistic expression ability of Vietnamese lacquer.
Painter Pham Khac Thang (right) and students at the exhibition.
Therefore, when founding Dragon Sigma, artist Pham Khac Thang wanted to create memorable experiences for anyone interested in lacquer. His practice often uses bright colors, bold images, and a contemporary feel, inspired by Pop Art - characteristics that few people think of when mentioning lacquer.
"Lacquer does not age..."
Dragon Sigma lacquer class does not restrict ideas and respects the identity in each person's story to breathe life into their work, so the works displayed at the exhibition are more personal.
With the work "Birds Falling", student Le Ngoc Han (student of the University of Industrial Fine Arts - Faculty of Painting) said: "At first, the idea of my painting was the reflection of two birds on the surface of a lake, it was quite difficult for a beginner like me. Mr. Thang advised me to change the idea to two birds flying up, then I was given very detailed instructions for each part, each detail of the painting. And Mr. Thang also asked for my opinion when changing and suggested whether the materials in each part were suitable, then I continued to the next step."
Commenting on lacquer art after a period of studying at Dragon Sigma, Ngoc Han humorously shared, "It's interesting. It's capricious. Because lacquer paintings have to be kept moist to dry. It takes a lot of time, as well as patience to learn, just like my girlfriend. Capricious and haughty. But it's very beautiful, and I really like it. I want to continue to learn more about lacquer paintings to master the colors in lacquer, and handle the materials more appropriately."
"Birds Fall" by student Le Ngoc Han.
Vu Yen Linh - Student of Ceramics Faculty - University of Industrial Fine Arts, author of the work "I also don't know anymore" confided: "I once knew Mr. Thang through an exhibition, at that time I saw his paintings and admired his paintings very much, the colors in his paintings are very different from traditional paintings. And from there I went to find out how from traditional materials his paintings bring such modern, new colors. When I knew he opened a class, I registered to participate.
When I learned about traditional lacquer paintings, I always kept in mind that they were dark tones and always had vermillion in them. However, when I came to Mr. Thang's class, I saw that there were many new materials and the colors were also very fresh, that was the clear difference in Dragon Sigma that I noticed.
I think Mr. Thang still respects the traditional values of lacquer paintings, not completely eliminating them. This is a combination of honoring tradition, so that this genre of painting can develop further, not erasing it."
"I don't know either" by Yen Linh.
Ms. Mai Huong, who works in the fashion industry, also accidentally learned about Dragon Sigma. After a period of studying, she found herself more and more attached to Dragon Sigma and especially to lacquer. "I was very lucky to know about Thang's classes. Thang teaches very attentively and guides students step by step. Through this lacquer class, I feel like I have found a new passion, which is lacquer. The more I learn, the more fascinated I become," said Ms. Huong.
In addition to the main exhibition, this series of events also includes many interesting activities such as art tours, painting workshops... From here, participants of the exhibition "Giua: Phong Sac" will be exposed to lacquer in many different ways: observing paintings by non-professionals, listening to introductions about lacquer materials and techniques, and directly experiencing those techniques.
In addition to the students' works, there are also lacquer applications and lacquer art toys called KEMTA on display. These are works inspired by childhood ice creams and made from traditional lacquer and new materials created by Dragon Sigma. Through this, artist Pham Khac Thang wants to bring new, easier approaches to lacquer to the public.
With meticulousness and no limits, this exhibition wants to convey a message, that is "Lacquer is not old, and anyone can start with lacquer painting".
The exhibition runs until March 10, 2024, at MAI Gallery.
Some pictures at the exhibition:
Mr. Luong Phong (Phu Quoc), a visitor to the exhibition, said that he felt that the creativity of the authors here was very diverse, and the themes were also rich because they came from many different authors. This diversity made him feel excited and curious.
Material Board Exhibition Area.
Display area for tools and materials.
Visitors enjoy the area displaying materials that make up lacquer paintings.
Crab shells, ostrich eggshells, sea snail shells... are materials that rarely appear in traditional lacquer but are now exploited and used in lacquer works in Dragon Sigma's classes.
KEMTA Art toy group.
Inspired by childhood ice cream, art toy KEMTA is expected to bring traditional lacquer approaches closer to the public.
These works will continue to be expanded and developed in the future.
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