The establishment of the Indochina School of Fine Arts in Hanoi in 1925 brought a transformative shift to how Vietnamese lacquer forms. By blending Vietnamese and Western techniques, lacquer gradually transitioned from purely utilitarian purposes to an elevated focus on the aesthetic value of artworks. Since then, this material has been continuously explored and reinterpreted, adapting to the changes in life, thought, and cultural trends of the Vietnamese people throughout different historical periods.
Lacquer from the Indochina period, often referred to as traditional lacquer, is characterized by multiple layers of colors. In this process, polishing back and forth is repeated until the desired visual effects are achieved, as envisioned by the artist.
However, artist Lại Thanh Dũng approaches lacquer with a fresh perspective. Instead of polishing to reveal spontaneous lines, the overall composition of his works is meticulously crafted from thousands of precise, painstakingly engraved lines, following a carefully calculated structure. The primary materials used for coloring are silver and gold leaf, while a few additional tones are applied for accentuation and ornamentation. In this approach, the form and contrast of the subject are determined by the strength or lightness of the engravings, the density, length, and intricacy of the lines, and the minimalist use of color.
With this technique, the subjects in Lại Thanh Dũng’s works—such as lotus flowers, phoenix trees, the Imperial Citadel, and the Perfume River—are familiar images of the ancient capital. Yet, his conscious effort to renew them through technical experimentation allows these motifs to maintain their core cultural value while expanding the expressive language over time.
This transformation is not merely about refreshing imagery but reflects a profound connection between heritage and societal progress, as heritage is not a static concept but a process that continuously evolves, develops, and adapts to the times.
The exhibition “Flow of Heritage” is part of MGallery Heritage Day, co-organized by MGallery – Hôtel Des Arts Saigon, Lotus Gallery, and Hoa Niên Concept. The exhibition is open to the public from September 21, 2024, to September 27, 2024, at the Café des Beaux-Arts on the ground floor of Hôtel des Arts Saigon.