Can Tho artisans preserve the beauty of Chinese folk culture

Mr. Vu is painting the main door decoration of Hiep Thien Cung. Photo: DUY KHOI

One weekend afternoon, surrounded by the crowded Cai Rang market, Mr. Vu sat alone, meticulously drawing each stroke for the project of restoring and embellishing the Hiep Thien Cung National Architectural and Artistic Relic (Cai Rang Ward). Mr. Vu painted the decorative Mon Than for the two main doors of the relic. Each stroke was decisive, neat and expressive, the painting created by Mr. Vu looked very lively and imbued with the traditional folk culture of the Hoa people.

The project of restoring and embellishing Hiep Thien Cung relic has been carried out for nearly a year and a half and Mr. Vu has been attached to it for nearly a year. His job is to paint frescoes on wood, decorating stories related to folk beliefs. The characters are drawn with spirit, soul, and true to the spirit of the stories. Pointing to the porcelain reliefs such as flowers, leaves, dragons... Mr. Vu is proud that they are also works done by him. The sharp, artistic works with ancient appearance created by Mr. Vu and his colleagues contribute to the restoration project more satisfactory.

At the age of 16, Mr. Vu learned the profession from his father, Mr. Huynh Long (72 years old this year), an experienced artist in the profession of painting and sculpting decorative reliefs for pagodas, temples, and assembly halls of the Chinese people in the Mekong Delta. He started with simple tasks such as adding color to the background, drawing the background, or painting according to his father's sketches. Gradually, he confidently became an artist in this field, able to handle a large-scale project that requires high techniques alone. "My first teacher was my father. Later, when I worked in the profession, I also self-studied through books, movies, and videos on the internet to gain more experience," Mr. Vu said. For example, he watched historical films to better understand the movements, costumes of the characters, and setting decorations; or when drawing Quan Thanh De Quan, he read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" to gain more knowledge.

Now, Mr. Vu can confidently do 3 jobs in decorating and restoring Chinese temples, pagodas, and assembly halls: painting (on wood, walls), making reliefs (cement, or cement and then inlaying porcelain) and carving patterns and motifs on wood. The works he has done at Hiep Thien Cung are a testament to his talent.

Mr. Vu said: Regarding painting, first of all, you have to sketch the composition, following the rules of near and far, light and dark, then go into details. When drawing, the strokes must be smooth, confident, and follow your own ideas, called "the method of using the pen". When drawing, "running the pen" or "closing the pen" must be decisive, beautiful, and smooth, then the painted work will be beautiful and expressive. Pointing to the two main doors of Hiep Thien Cung, Mr. Vu said: "It took me a whole week to do it, I am very satisfied". As for relief carving and porcelain inlay, this is a subject he learned later, but he is also very good at it. According to Mr. Vu, his profession requires meticulousness, leisurelyness, and diligence, without haste, and a quiet space to work and create at the same time. Only then will the work have its own unique features.

The Board of Directors of Hiep Thien Cung is very pleased with the works that Mr. Vu has done. Not only that, many of the projects he has done in the Mekong Delta have left their mark.
In addition to Mr. Vu, Mr. Huynh Long also has a successor, the third son, who is currently painting decorations for a Chinese pagoda in Long Phu commune. Mr. Vu and his three sons have always quietly painted ancient features, preserving and spreading the beauty of Chinese folk culture with their own talent.

DANG HUYNH

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/nghe-nhan-can-tho-giu-net-dep-van-hoa-dan-gian-nguoi-hoa-a190972.html