LATOA INDOCHINE organizes Workshop and International Exhibition on traditional lacquer paintings

Some lacquer paintings inspired by folk paintings by the Latoa Indochine group of artists. (Photo: PV/Vietnam+)

Traditional lacquer art:

Lacquer is a unique art of Vietnam, using natural paint from the lacquer tree combined with materials such as eggshells, mother-of-pearl shells and gold and silver to create sophisticated works. The process of making lacquer requires meticulousness and patience, going through many stages such as bundling, decorating, grinding and polishing, to achieve the characteristic smoothness and shine. Lacquer art not only reflects aesthetic value but also contains the profound cultural identity of the Vietnamese people.

Cultural industrialization events and policies:

With the aim of preserving and promoting traditional artistic values ​​in a modern context, this event is not only an opportunity to display and practice lacquer art but also creates an opportunity for artists, researchers and the public to discuss the possibility of developing and spreading folk lacquer paintings in contemporary life.

Through exchange, creation and exhibition activities, the event contributes to connecting artisans from many countries, opening up new directions in the application of lacquer paintings in art spaces and museums, as well as encouraging creativity in expression, helping this art form reach a wider audience and international market. This is also an important step in making traditional art a part of the cultural industrialization strategy - both preserving identity and adapting to the development trend of contemporary art.

Latoa Indochine produces Vietnamese folk paintings. (Photo: ST)

International cultural exchange:

The event creates opportunities for artists from many countries to meet, exchange experiences and techniques, thereby promoting understanding and cooperation in the field of lacquer art. The combination of traditional art and modern trends from different cultures will open up new directions, contributing to the sustainable development of lacquer art in the context of globalization.

The exhibition will take place from 7:30 to 19:30 on February 17, 2025, at Latoa Garden, with the following activities: Opening Workshop & Introduction of traditional lacquer art; Creative workshop and discussion on lacquer application; Art exchange...

Latoa Indochine was founded not long ago, but its members have spent decades working together, researching lacquer and folk paintings. The group's artists have experimented with making dozens of folk paintings on lacquer. But they still felt that something was not yet achieved, not true to the "quality" of folk paintings. That was the lack of "printed lines". The artists then experimented with the engraving technique - a technique that was born about ten years later than lacquer, by engraving the picture, keeping the black lines and coloring the rest.

Latoa Indochine is a pioneer in preserving and developing folk painting art on lacquer material, contributing to preserving and spreading traditional cultural values ​​in the flow of contemporary art./.