Dong Ho village artisans strive to bring paintings 'abroad'

Printed from woodblocks created by local people, the heritage values ​​of Dong Ho folk paintings (Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh ) are being preserved and promoted by artisans.

"The beauty" 50 years attached to the profession

Born and raised in a homeland with a long cultural tradition, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Oanh showed her talent for painting from a young age.

Meritorious artist Nguyen Thi Oanh owns nearly 300 genres of paintings and about 60 themes. (Photo: Anh Duc)

She said: “When I was 9-10 years old, I spent half a day at school and half a day at home painting with my mother. In 1974, I joined the craft village cooperative and was lucky enough to become the daughter-in-law of the late artisan Nguyen Huu Sam, giving me the opportunity to paint and work.” Inheriting her father’s traditional profession, in addition to collecting and restoring ancient engravings, artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh also created many more works. After nearly 50 years in the profession, she currently owns nearly 300 genres of paintings and about 60 themes. Not only creating, she also actively participates in a number of national and international painting exhibitions, winning many awards. Her paintings have been featured at many major events in France, Germany, Czech Republic, India, the United Arab Emirates, etc. For artist Nguyen Thi Oanh, bringing her father's traditional craft, promoting the cultural beauty of her homeland and country to international friends and receiving admiration and love is a great honor and motivation. Her career is closely linked to important political and foreign affairs events of the country. Sharing about the most memorable memory during her lifetime of working with Dong Ho paintings, she proudly said: “In 2022, the painting “Vinh quy bai to” made by my own hands was chosen by the provincial leaders as a gift for the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who was on a working trip to Bac Ninh province. That was also the last time he visited our hometown. And in 2024, my husband and I were honored to go to the Government Office , introduce the painting printing technique; the meaning and artistic value of Dong Ho paintings and instruct Chinese Prime Minister Li Cuong on how to make Dong Ho paintings on the occasion of his visit to Vietnam”. At the age of over 60, artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh still strives to preserve the “fire of the profession”. She said that in the past, the craft village had 17 families making paintings, but now there are only two families left. Therefore, her biggest concern is how to not only preserve the Dong Ho painting profession but also develop further. She said: "I tell myself to always try to do well and better every day to enrich the job I love and am passionate about."

Meritorious artisan Nguyen Dang Che is the 20th generation of the Nguyen Dang family with a tradition of making Dong Ho paintings. (Photo: Anh Duc)

Make an impression on international visitors

Besides the Nguyen Huu family, Nguyen Dang is one of two families that still preserve the traditional craft of making Dong Ho paintings in the village. At the age of 90, Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Dang Che is still lucid in introducing the painting genre and recounting his memories after more than 60 years of being attached to the profession.

He shared that the Nguyen Dang family has had 22 successive generations making Dong Ho paintings and he is the 20th generation. When he was a child, around 11-12 years old, he witnessed the market selling paintings at Dong Ho communal house, just as the old saying goes, "Tet without Dong Ho paintings hanging in the house is not Tet". According to artisan Nguyen Dang Che, what makes Dong Ho paintings unique is the paper made from Do leaves, white from butterfly, red from mountain pebbles, yellow from locust trees, green from indigo leaves, black from bamboo leaves... In particular, all materials are found in nature and are completely handmade. At the same time, the paintings contain simple content about life and culture; reflecting the thoughts, feelings, lifestyles, and ways of thinking of Vietnamese people. Mr. Che said that his house has more than 10 books, recording the feelings of tourists when they come to visit and experience making paintings.

Guestbook of foreign tourists when visiting Dong Ho painting village. (Photo: Anh Duc)

There have been thousands of groups and millions of visitors coming here. A foreign tourist wrote in his guestbook: “ An admirable and magnificent journey with typical Vietnamese chaleureux! Thank you for visiting this village and for letting us know the artistry!"

(Rough translation: Admirable work and a warm welcome typical of Vietnamese people. Thank you for letting us visit this village and introducing us to the artisans!”) Not only preserving and promoting, bringing Dong Ho paintings to the world is also Mr. Nguyen Dang Che's passion. In 2024 alone, he made three trips abroad to introduce and promote this folk painting genre. To continue the work of preserving the beauty of folk paintings, he built the first private Dong Ho painting conservation center and exhibition house in Vietnam, contributing with the people of "Mai village" to preserve the precious heritage value of the nation. Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nghe-nhan-lang-dong-ho-no-luc-dua-tranh-xuat-ngoai-300114.html