Artist Bui Quy Phong – the man who paints time masks

The masks in the style of Tuong masks by artist Bui Quy Phong have followed tourists from near and far everywhere to tell interesting stories about the culture, people and land of Quang.

In Hoi An ancient town, artisan Quy Phong opened a painting studio called “Time Mask” to create, display and sell masks. In addition to his time creating, he also spends a lot of time introducing, instructing and inspiring the art of painting Tuong masks at seminars, schools and major cultural events at home and abroad.

Artisan Bui Quy Phong originally started out as a lion head maker and a theater director, but he has been making papier-mâché masks for over 40 years now. Photo: The Anh

With his silent but meaningful contributions, artisan Bui Quy Phong has contributed his part to making the world heritage site of Hoi An ancient town a UNESCO global creative city in the field of crafts and folk arts by 2023.

With his passion and deep understanding of the art of Tuong, artist Bui Quy Phong has created papier-mache masks with a strong Tuong mask art style.

The “Time Mask” painting studio of artist Bui Quy Phong is a favorite destination for many foreign tourists when visiting Hoi An ancient town.

A corner of the "Time Mask" painting studio of artist Bui Quy Phong.

A young artist is working at the “Mask of Time” studio.

A family of Korean tourists visited the “Time Mask” painting studio of artist Bui Quy Phong.

The studio is located in a small alley at 58/7 Le Loi Street right in the ancient town of Hoi An.

The first impression that catches the eye of visitors to the “Time Mask” painting studio is the image of unique giant Tuong masks hung by their owners in eye-catching positions.

The masks are painted with modern themes such as portraits, street vendors, girls... but still retain the artistic imprint of Tuong masks.

A mask painted in a very modern style by artist Bui Quy Phong.

Street vendor masks clearly show the cultural imprint of Hoi An life.

A mask painted in modern style by artist Bui Quy Phong.

In addition to the Tuong style masks, artisan Bui Quy Phong also makes Mid-Autumn Festival masks for children.

Traditional Tuong masks by artisan Bui Quy Phong.

The impressive beauty of the giant Tuong mask is hung in the main space of the "Time Mask" studio.

The impressive beauty of the Tuong masks painted in the traditional style by artisan Bui Quy Phong.

Regardless of the theme, the papier-mâché masks of artisan Bui Quy Phong always bear the traditional art style of Tuong masks.

According to artisan Bui Quy Phong, the technique of painting traditional Vietnamese opera masks is different from the way of painting Chinese opera masks or the way of painting masks of other countries in the region.

“Vietnamese opera masks only use 5 colors, while Chinese opera masks can be painted with 8 or 10 colors. In the way of painting, the color blocks of opera masks can blend and overlap, while in opera masks, the color blocks are clearly defined and the lines are transparent,” said artisan Bui Quy Phong.

Article and photos: The Anh

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nghe-nhan-bui-quy-phong-nguoi-ve-mat-na-thoi-gian-post282767.html