U.90 artist draws more than 50,000 pictures of Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton with palm leaves

From palm leaves, artisan Vo Van Tang (83 years old, residing in Thoai Son commune, An Giang province) has carved images of Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton through more than 50,000 vivid paintings.

For generations, the palmyra palm has been considered a distinctive symbol of the Bay Nui region ( An Giang province). The Khmer people here mainly exploit the sap and fruit of the palmyra palm. However, with a keen eye and skillful hands, artist Vo Van Tang has transformed palmyra palm leaves into unique paintings.

Among the tens of thousands of paintings made from palm leaves by artist Vo Van Tang, more than 50% depict President Ho Chi Minh and President Ton Duc Thang. PHOTO: DUY TAN

The 83-year-old artisan's "fated connection" with palm leaves.

Artist Vo Van Tang was formerly a bank employee, but he had a passion for painting. During a work trip to Tri Ton District, An Giang Province (formerly), he discovered the durability and unique colors of young palm leaves. From then on, he nurtured the idea of ​​using these leaves as a painting material.

Images of President Ho Chi Minh are the most heartfelt works of artist Vo Van Tang. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Initially, his experiments with watercolors failed because they faded quickly, and Mr. Tang almost gave up. Then, during a trip to Da Lat, after witnessing an artist painting with a pyrography pen on wood, he suddenly thought of a new direction for himself: using a pyrography pen to paint on palm leaves. After a year of diligent experimentation, he mastered the technique and produced his first vivid paintings.

The image of Uncle Ton is depicted by artist Vo Van Tang through paintings on palm leaves. PHOTO: DUY TAN

In 1999, after retiring, Mr. Tang dedicated his time to pyrography. His landscape paintings of his hometown, such as palm fields, the Tra Su Melaleuca forest, Mount Cam, and Mount Sam, quickly made a strong impression. In 2003, he began trying his hand at portrait painting, with his first two works being those of President Ho Chi Minh and President Ton Duc Thang. "On the day they finished, I was so happy I couldn't sleep because the artwork was so incredibly lifelike," Mr. Tang recalled.

A picture of President Ho Chi Minh sitting and working. PHOTO: DUY TAN

A picture of President Ho Chi Minh with children. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Since then, Mr. Tang has been commissioned by many agencies and organizations in An Giang to create commemorative paintings as gifts. In 2010, he was recognized by the Vietnam Book of Records Center for setting the records of "The artisan who makes the most paintings from palm leaves in Vietnam" and "The largest painting of President Ho Chi Minh's will made from palm leaves in Vietnam".

A picture of President Ho Chi Minh smiling brightly. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Preserving the essence of traditional crafts.

To date, artist Vo Van Tang's workshop has produced over 100,000 paintings, including more than 50,000 depicting President Ho Chi Minh and President Ton Duc Thang. A large work, measuring 2m x 2.5m, sells for 40 million dong. However, there are some paintings he absolutely refuses to sell, even when offered tens of millions of dong, because he considers them his "priceless masterpieces."

Image of General Vo Nguyen Giap. PHOTO: DUY TAN

The workshop currently employs 12 highly skilled craftsmen, earning a stable income of 6-10 million VND per month. He has trained over 100 apprentices, but only about 20 have stayed with him long-term. His palm leaf paintings are sold nationwide, and in 2020, they were recognized as a 4-star OCOP product, affirming the unique cultural and artistic value of the craft.

The image of the Mekong Delta countryside is vividly portrayed. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Rural life in the Mekong Delta is depicted in paintings on palm leaves. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Images of rural areas in the Mekong Delta. PHOTO: DUY TAN

Despite his success, artisan Vo Van Tang still harbors a deep concern about how to make palm leaf paintings a cultural and tourism specialty of An Giang. "I hope more tourists will get to know about it, so that the craft is not only preserved but also creates more jobs for local people," Mr. Tang expressed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nghe-nhan-u90-ve-hon-50000-tranh-bac-ho-bac-ton-bang-la-thot-not-185250904084400538.htm