9x artist brings Vietnamese culture into lacquer paintings

(Dan Tri) - With a passion for lacquer painting, artist Do Manh Hiep said he chose this genre of painting because it carries Vietnamese cultural identity.

Do Manh Hiep was born in 1995, he loved fine arts since he was a child. After graduating from high school, because he was not very confident, he only dared to register for the Central College of Music and Art Education. During his time at the College, Hiep spent time researching, learning, then boldly registered and passed the entrance exam to the Vietnam University of Fine Arts.

Painter Do Manh Hiep loved fine arts since he was a child, he chose lacquer painting to fulfill his dream (Photo: Provided by the character).

Studying the major he loved, Hiep was like a "fish in water" and tried his hand at many materials from lacquer, silk, oil paint... But in the end, he chose lacquer as the material to express the majority of his works. He said that to paint lacquer, a certain level of stillness is needed. The materials in lacquer create effects and surface emotions that other materials cannot have. After experiencing many materials, he realized that lacquer is the most suitable for expressing his intentions on the surface of the painting. "To complete a lacquer work, the artist must go through many complicated stages, from sketching the composition of the painting, drawing on the canvas, grinding, and then polishing the painting... Especially, the last stage - grinding the painting, requires the artist to be extremely meticulous and careful. If the grinding is not done well, the color of the painting will not be as expected, not bringing out the beauty of the painting. But if the grinding is done too much, the canvas will be punctured, and it will have to be patched, which is very difficult and expensive. Most lacquer painters admit that the lacquer painting technique is difficult and random, even experienced painters are sometimes surprised by the results achieved after grinding the painting", Manh Hiep said about the process of painting a lacquer painting.

"Summer Sun" by Manh Hiep. He shared that he really likes the yellow color of lacquer paintings (Photo: Provided by the character).

The 9x artist loves the color yellow and the meticulousness when painting lacquer paintings, especially the feeling of excitement, waiting to discover mixed with curiosity in the process of grinding the color to gradually reveal the hidden layers of color behind and enjoying the joy when the work is completed. After more than ten years of diligently holding the brush, the number of paintings he has painted has reached thousands of large and small ones. Currently, he is focusing on creating lacquer works following the stream of consciousness, a line of paintings expressing memories and thoughts from the past. Artist Do Manh Hiep said that one of the reasons he chose and pursued the lacquer painting line is because this is a traditional line of paintings, bearing the mark and identity of Vietnamese culture . "Lacquer is a material that cannot be counterfeited. Nowadays, with the development of society, of technology 4.0, of artificial intelligence AI, it is very possible to create vivid paintings with the quality of oil paint and watercolor. But with lacquer, it is impossible, because lacquer is the only work and the artist himself cannot paint a second painting exactly the same", Manh Hiep said.

The 9x artist shared that lacquer paintings are works that cannot be imitated (Photo: Character provided).

Sharing the difficulties of young painters who are passionate about lacquer painting, Do Manh Hiep said that it is an economic problem. Lacquer painting is both difficult and expensive. To paint a 40x60 painting, he has to use half a quintal of gold (equivalent to half a tael of gold), if he paints a larger painting, he has to use at least 1 quintal (equivalent to 1 tael of gold), not counting other painting tools such as canvas and paint. If he is not passionate, very few people can follow the long-term path. As a young painter, Do Manh Hiep does not follow trends or seek ease. He says "no" to copying styles and works, but always finds his own style and path, with the desire to create new, attractive art products with his own style. Manh Hiep determined that he works in other jobs to support his family financially, and painting is a "playground" for him to satisfy his passion, explore creativity in art, draw and gain experience in painting techniques, to create many beautiful works, introducing Vietnamese culture to art lovers at home and abroad.

Do Manh Hiep is focusing on creating lacquer works following the stream of consciousness, a line of paintings expressing memories and thoughts from the past (Photo: Provided by Nhan cach).

Mr. Hiep said that lacquer painting is expensive and requires the artist to be meticulous, experienced and knowledgeable (Photo: Provided by the character).

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