Discovering Hanoi's 'Sacred Marks' through lacquer art

The exhibition of lacquer paintings Sacred Marks including 52 works by artist Chu Nhat Quang will be held at Thang Long Imperial Citadel on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954-2024).

One among the artworks to be displayed.

The artist said that the exhibition includes works about Hanoi’s landscapes and famous relics, divided into four themes.

The Beginning, with 14 lacquer paintings, focuses on the still life genre, reflecting the artist's deep memories of the time he learned to make pottery. Each painting is a contemplation of the aesthetic values ​​of a simple but meaningful life.

The Origin includes 17 paintings, taking viewers to explore the heritage such as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Turtle Tower, One Pillar Pagoda, Thay Pagoda... In addition, with the image of Mother Au Co and the art of water puppetry, the artist evokes stories about the sacred origin and the silent sacrifice of farmers - those who have nurtured and preserved the long-standing culture.

The Soul with nine paintings, continues to evoke nostalgia for culture and heritage. The works are not only a reminder of the historical value of the nation but also a call to protect cultural heritage in the modern context.

The theme Cradle includes 12 paintings about the homeland, village communal houses, and puppetry art. The artist conveys the message of harmony between humans and nature and the hope of maintaining the precious traditional values ​​of the nation through many generations.

Painter Chu Nhat Quang has discoveries with traditional lacquer art. Photo courtesy of the artist

Talking about the exhibition, Nguyen Thanh Tung, CEO of VIETCOM Company and organizer of the event, said that Chu Nhat Quang is a young painter who has shown his creative commitment to the path of traditional lacquer art.

Each of his strokes not only creates sophisticated artwork but also breathes into a cultural flow of the nation. He was also bold in deciding to bring his lacquer works out of the traditional exhibition space to bring them to the public outdoors. That shows the spirit of a young artist, ready to experiment and find new ways to express traditional materials.

According to historian Duong Trung Quoc, he felt the desire for innovation in Chu Nhat Quang's lacquer paintings. He has devoted himself to renewing the traditional art of his ancestors, experiencing many challenges and finding ways to develop.

“Although these works are still newly introduced to the public, I believe that with his enthusiasm and creativity, Quang will bring Vietnamese lacquer further,” he said.

Painter Chu Nhat Quang said he has been exploring how to make large-scale lacquer paintings while experimenting with lighting options for outdoor paintings to bring the best experience to the public.

The exhibition will open on October 5. In the opening program, soprano Pham Thu Ha will perform songs about Hanoi.