'Spring teacher' of the deaf

"Spring Teacher" is the cute nickname that deaf young people give to Huynh Van Xuan (30 years old), a painter working in Da Nang City, who persistently inspires painting to souls living in a world without sound.

SILENT DRAWING CLASS

Huynh Van Xuan’s hands quickly draw symbols in the air, the content revolves around how to hold a pencil to sketch. Below, around the easels, his students watch attentively. Some nod, some smile, but all are immersed in the silence of the wordless world . The class initiated by Xuan over a year ago has become a weekly joy, where young deaf people find eager anticipation.

He said that when he was young, he had a friend who was born deaf. At that time, he could not read or write, nor had he learned sign language. Between the vast distance between the two worlds, the only way for them to communicate was through body language and… drawings. "My friend drew very well. Thanks to the drawings, I understood the story he wanted to convey," Xuan recalled. The beautiful memories of his childhood not only nurtured his passion for art but also created a special sympathy in Xuan for the deaf community. For Xuan, that difference is not a barrier but a different form of language that needs to be listened to and understood.

Huynh Van Xuan (right cover) and deaf people learn to draw in a workshop in the ancient capital of Hue.

PHOTO: PHI LONG

After graduating from Hue University of Arts, Xuan went to Da Nang to start a career as a book illustrator. The job brought Xuan to meet young deaf people, and then childhood memories came flooding back. Xuan decided to open a free drawing class for the deaf community from April 2024. In Da Nang and his hometown of Hue, he opened special workshops for young deaf people. To accompany his students, Xuan also persevered in learning sign language. And in just over a year, Xuan was able to use both facial expressions and signs to communicate fluently with his students.

Huynh Van Xuan guides deaf people to use brushes in calligraphy

"There are about 20 deaf students from localities such as Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai... gathered in the drawing course taught by me. Only a few sessions per month, but after more than a year, many students have made clear progress. In particular, many students are very talented in painting, with the prospect of making a living from painting in the future...", Xuan shared.

LIGHT UP HOPE

I asked Xuan to sign to ask Khanh Nhu (14 years old) about her feelings when taking the drawing class. "I am very happy to study with Mr. Xuan. Thanks to him, I am now confident when drawing, not worried about making mistakes. I like sketching portraits with pencil the most. I am trying every day to draw better," Nhu said through Xuan's translation. Xuan highly appreciated her sketching ability and commented that, if well trained, Nhu is completely capable of making a living by painting.

Hearing-impaired students being able to write their names artistically is the joy of artist Huynh Van Xuan.

“Spring Teacher” Uses Sign Language to Communicate with Deaf Students

Xuan said that each class, depending on the students' level, he would gradually impart knowledge about painting, from composition, proportion, light... to drawing techniques and color use. Xuan always told his students that to be confident, one must have knowledge. Anyone can draw, but to draw correctly and beautifully, one must learn. Therefore, Xuan always encourages and creates confidence for deaf youth. "I often say, you are learning to draw with an artist and you should believe in what you have learned and are doing. And I will try my best so that you can express what you think through your drawings," Xuan confided. Xuan realized that deaf students have a very high ability to concentrate. When holding a pen, they are absorbed in their own creative world.

Young artist Huynh Van Xuan always has special feelings for the deaf community.

For Xuan, teaching drawing to the deaf is not only about teaching skills but more importantly, helping them regain confidence in life. Xuan said he does not want anyone to buy the product just because they feel sorry for the deaf author. Through the Facebook and TikTok channels (Spring Teacher), he posted many of his students' paintings and received offers to buy them. But Xuan does not sell them because he knows that although his students' paintings are getting better every day, they have not yet reached aesthetic maturity. If they are to be sold, the products must have real value. "I want everyone to recognize your true abilities. There are many of you who can make a living by painting murals, portraits, graphics, etc.; but first of all, you must persevere in practicing so that society recognizes you as a normal person," he said.

Xuan's dream is to have a small art studio where the deaf and young people who are passionate about painting can study, create and confidently make a living with their own abilities. Perhaps because of his desire to sow that belief, in the hearts of his special students, he is called by the simple name "spring teacher", the one who brings warmth, new beginnings and hope to the silent world. Interested readers can contact Mr. Xuan via phone number: 0964.758.426.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thay-giao-mua-xuan-cua-nguoi-khiem-thinh-185251103223105128.htm