Sac Tam: The meeting between contemporary art and the essence of Vietnamese agarwood

Some paintings on display at the Sac Tam exhibition. Photo: Hoang Lan.

The exhibition “Sac Tam” organized by Nguyen Art Gallery in collaboration with Tram Tue and the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, creates an emotional dialogue between art and spirituality, between tradition and modernity.

“Sac Tam” is an installation exhibition combining lacquer and agarwood artworks. In the ancient space of the Tien Duong House, Thai Hoc area (Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam), 23 lacquer works with themes of Buddhism, traditional learning, filial piety, Hanoi landscapes… are displayed in harmony with agarwood works, creating an artistic space imbued with the colors of Vietnamese heritage.

Exhibition of works about agarwood. Photo: Hoang Lan

Through the hands and souls of 14 talented painters and artists, lacquer is recreated with a contemporary breath, both preserving cultural memories and opening up new creative depths. The works were made by prominent painters such as: Trieu Khac Tien, Do Khai, Luong Duy, Trinh Que Anh, Le Khanh Hieu, Ngo Ba Cong, Dang Hien, Nguyen Van Nghia, Nguyen Hong Giang, Ngo Tuan Anh, Tran Tien Thanh, Nguyen Luong Huyen, Nguyen Tuan Cuong, Le Xuan Huong.

According to Mr. Le Xuan Huong, Director of Nguyen Art Gallery, the exhibition “Sac Tam” has been cherished for more than a year. The artists have spent a lot of time and effort to create works that reflect the spirit of Vietnamese cultural heritage.

Agarwood incense arrangement is placed in the Front Hall, Thai Hoc area of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam. Photo: Hoang Lan

“The highlight of the exhibition is the fateful encounter between contemporary art, specifically lacquer and Vietnamese agarwood. The name Sac Tam is also based on this meaning: Sac is color, art; and Tam is soul, spirituality. With this exhibition, I hope everyone will feel life more slowly, listen to the self in their soul. This is a message for us to live slowly, balancing between material and spiritual life,” Mr. Le Xuan Huong shared.

In the exhibition, along with lacquer works, the public can also admire unique agarwood works, crystallized from the spiritual energy of the Vietnamese land and the skillful hands of artisans. In the sacred space of the Temple of Literature - a place to honor the tradition of learning and thousand-year-old culture - agarwood incense not only spreads a pure fragrance, but also becomes a bridge connecting people with their roots, evoking tranquility in contemporary life.

The highlight of Tram Tue at the exhibition is the completely new collection of high-end and premium agarwood products, marking 9 years of establishment and development of the brand. The collection represents a great step forward in the agarwood crafting industry, while honoring the quintessence of Vietnamese culture.

In addition, the unique collection of incense burners – masterpieces imbued with cultural and spiritual breath – is displayed for the first time at the Temple of Literature, evoking the sacred spirit and the nation's aspiration to rise up.
In addition, two special art jewelry sets made from agarwood were also introduced at the exhibition, including: “Sac Pho – Hanoi elegant in jade shape” and “Ky sac Thang Long”. These are unique designs, combining rare materials and sophisticated craftsmanship, inspired by the elegant beauty of Hanoi girls and the thousand-year mark of Thang Long, delicately conveyed through every detail, telling the story of identity, culture and national pride.

“Sac Tam” is not only an art exhibition, but also a meeting of emotions and culture, where the incense and lacquer colors resonate together in a symphony of the Vietnamese spirit.
The exhibition runs until October 22, 2025.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/sac-tam-cuoc-hoi-ngo-giua-my-thuat-duong-dai-va-tinh-hoa-tram-huong-viet-719350.html