My's lacquered room

Artist Pham Ngoc My jokingly calls her small studio "My's room" - a place where she keeps the works she painted with all her emotions and inspiration during nearly 20 years of pursuing traditional lacquer art.

Artist Pham Ngoc My creates her artwork in her small studio. (Photo: Provided by the artist)

Born into a rural family in Ý Yên district, Nam Định province, Phạm Ngọc Mỵ was fortunate to inherit a love of art from her mother, who was dedicated to the traditional craft of hand embroidery. Her mother's creations always captivated her with their harmonious blend of colors, especially the vibrant shades of red. Each time she admired her mother's work, she imprinted those radiant moments in her mind. It was from this experience that her love and passion for art gradually grew…

A passion for shimmering golden dust particles.

Pham Ngoc My said that her decision to dedicate herself to traditional lacquer painting stemmed from inspiration she gained while working on her graduation thesis at the Vietnam Fine Arts University, titled "Exploring the properties of materials in various painting genres," under the guidance of Professor Pham Cong Thanh. At that time, her greatest desire was to preserve a traditional art form that was gradually fading away in the face of modern life.

She shared: "I chose this material because I am passionate about the shimmering golden dust, the meticulous process of curing the lacquer, the careful attachment of eggshells, snail shells, and clam shells, and the application of gold and silver to the painting. In particular, the vermilion in traditional lacquer is made from a natural mineral called cinnabar, which is used to create various shades of vermilion, such as bright vermilion, deep vermilion, and secondary vermilion, all with meticulousness, skill, and artistry."

“Pham Ngoc My was an art teacher, so her paintings have the professionalism of a seasoned artist and the heartfelt emotion of a woman.” – Artist Pham Binh Chuong

According to her, what's fascinating about lacquer art is that even when using the same materials and techniques, changes in weather and humidity can create different shades of lacquer. Even for an artist, each perspective and inspiration when using lacquer colors results in works with ever-changing color palettes.

From her early days, Pham Ngoc My has been dedicated to lacquer painting, considering "the essence" as her unique artistic language. Her mark also lies in the harmonious combination of traditional techniques and creative thinking, helping lacquer paintings transcend mere imitation, becoming an art space rich in emotion.

Her works express immeasurable love, passion, and dedication to lacquer art. Despite her delicate appearance, the female artist exudes inner strength, courage, and creative thinking in her artistic practice.

A remarkable lacquer painting by artist Pham Ngoc My. (Photo: Provided by the artist)

Art originates from life.

Having participated in 25 group exhibitions, artist Pham Ngoc My has decided to hold a solo exhibition showcasing her representative lacquer paintings, marking the creations spanning nearly two decades.

Titled "Beauty Mark," her first exhibition, currently taking place at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, showcases 40 pieces from her collection of over 60 lacquer paintings, including many large-format lacquer paintings measuring up to 1.6 x 2.4 meters.

The paintings reflect a richness of subject matter, ranging from nature, landscapes, and portraits to everyday stories, all expressed through a distinctive lacquer palette, providing artistic depth and powerful visual impact.

This is an opportunity for art lovers to admire the exquisite beauty of Vietnamese lacquer paintings and experience the unique artistic style of the female artist. At the exhibition, the public can immerse themselves in the sunrise scene of "Tinh Gia Sea"; follow the artist to "Ban Mon" and "Ban Tham"; feel the peacefulness of "The Home"—no matter how hard the journey, returning brings serenity; feel the sacredness of motherly love in "Birth" and the beauty of mountain girls in works such as "Bathing," "Charming Beauty," "Rebellion," and "Youth"...

“Lacquer, bright red, deep red, and second-grade red – each shade of lacquer naturally enters Pham Ngoc My’s works. Traveling for nearly two decades from mountains to the coast, from villages to cities, from landscapes to portraits, each brushstroke painted with the colors of traditional lacquer awakens the aesthetic sensibilities of true art lovers.” – Artist and Distinguished Teacher Doan Van Nguyen

From shimmering shades of yellow and silver, to the distinctive lines and shapes of lacquer painting, Pham Ngoc My captures the simple beauty of everyday life, or spontaneous moments. Each of her paintings is like a clear, pure melody, awakening in the depths of the human soul sincerity and overflowing love.

She doesn't hesitate to capture every moment of everyday life along her journey. From the lifestyles and daily activities of people to a flower or a small rooster she happens to encounter… everything can become inspiration for her paintings.

For her, art only truly has meaning when it originates from life, and every moment is worth cherishing. Although not intentionally chosen, looking back, the images of Northwest Vietnam and the beauty of mountain girls have become a natural part of her paintings. She smiles and explains, "Probably because my name is My."

Pham Ngoc My at the "Bright Spot" exhibition space at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. (Photo: Provided by the artist)

A challenging but enduring journey.

Nevertheless, pursuing lacquer painting is a challenging journey, especially for a female artist. Unlike other common painting materials, lacquer painting requires meticulous work through dozens of steps: painting, applying lacquer, curing the painting, polishing layers, attaching eggshells and mother-of-pearl, gilding with gold and silver... Each step requires perseverance, meticulousness, and enduring physical strength.

Furthermore, pursuing lacquer painting also means accepting a niche market. In an era where oil paintings and contemporary art reign supreme, lacquer painting remains a specialized genre, reserved only for those who truly love and understand its value. In return, lacquer paintings possess high artistic value, with unique, profound works that are difficult to reproduce.

Understanding all those values, Pham Ngoc My cherishes even more the path she has chosen. Through her works, she hopes to spread traditional lacquer art to audiences of all ages, especially young people, with the message: "Traditional culture, though arduous, endures through time."

Artist Pham Ngoc My, born in 1981, graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree from the Vietnam Fine Arts University and is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and the Hanoi Fine Arts Association.

Alongside her creative work, she also has a remarkable career in art education. From 2007 to 2010, she taught at the Hanoi College of Arts, and then continued her work at Hoa Binh University from 2012 to 2017.

Currently, artist Pham Ngoc My is a lecturer at Hanoi Open University, where she continues to inspire generations of students with her passion for lacquer painting. Her teaching and in-depth research not only motivate her to pursue traditional lacquer art but also contribute to its preservation and promotion. With her dedication and passion for traditional art, Pham Ngoc My's story portrays the creative journey of a Vietnamese female artist during the đổi mới (renovation) period, while also affirming the position of Vietnamese lacquer painting in contemporary art.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/can-phong-son-mai-cua-my-306717.html