Exhibition of 17 large-scale lacquer paintings "Independence Spring"

On the afternoon of August 18, at the Ho Chi Minh Museum (Hanoi), the Central Propaganda and Education Commission in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held the opening ceremony of the large-scale lacquer painting exhibition “Independence Spring”. The event is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2.

Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia and delegates at the opening ceremony of the lacquer painting exhibition "Independence Spring".

Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission attended the ceremony and cut the opening ribbon.

Also attending were comrade Ngo Dong Hai, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission; representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; leaders of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, the Vietnam Writers Association, embassies, diplomatic agencies, international organizations in Hanoi and a large number of artists and art lovers.

Comrade Nguyen Trong Nghia cut the ribbon to open the lacquer painting exhibition "Independence Spring".

In his opening speech, Dr. Vu Manh Ha, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, emphasized: The exhibition "Independence Spring" is a special artistic event, containing love for the homeland and infinite gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh and the sacrifices of soldiers and people for independence and freedom.

The exhibition introduces 17 large-scale lacquer works, including works up to 20 square ^meters by painter Chu Nhat Quang, a young artist who has quickly established his personal mark, harmoniously combining the quintessence of national art with the breath of the times.

Delegates and guests next to the lacquer painting "Uncle Ho" (size 2.4m x 3.6m)
at the opening ceremony of the Exhibition.

Each painting is a work of art, and at the same time a story recreating history. The image of Uncle Ho appears both familiar and familiar, and is also a symbol of intelligence, courage and humanity. In addition, the resounding achievements of the nation on the journey to independence, freedom and national unification are recreated in the brilliant language of lacquer, both familiar and new.

Lacquer painting "Leader Nguyen Ai Quoc in 1921" (size 1.8m x 1.8m).

“Art is not only for viewing, but also to move the soul, to remind us of our roots and to give us strength for new journeys. I believe that, when standing in front of each painting today, you will find not only visual beauty, but also pride and love for Uncle Ho, creating vibrations in every heart” - Dr. Vu Manh Ha shared.

I was very happy and moved when I saw the exhibition “Independence Spring”. It is truly admirable that a young artist, only 30 years old, has found inspiration in the history and culture of the nation, and then expressed his talent with lacquer paintings that are both traditional and modern. I think Chu Nhat Quang has created a breakthrough for Vietnamese lacquer art.

Colonel, journalist Ho Quang Loi, Vice President of Vietnam Digital Communications Association

Artwork "Uncle Ho reading the Declaration of Independence" (size 8m x 3m).

The success of artist Chu Nhat Quang comes from many factors: He was born into a family with a rich artistic tradition, received formal training, but more importantly, he found his creative source from his national roots. This is something very valuable for the young generation of Vietnamese artists today.

The exhibition “Independence Spring” was held on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2, in addition to honoring the great President Ho Chi Minh, it also contributed to fostering national pride, patriotism and love for Vietnamese culture.

Lacquer painting "Hue's Noon Gate on March 26, 1975" (size 1.2m x 1.9m).

"I was very happy and moved when I saw the exhibition "Independence Spring". It is truly admirable that a young artist, only 30 years old, has found inspiration in the history and culture of the nation, and then expressed his talent with traditional and modern lacquer paintings. I think Chu Nhat Quang has created a breakthrough for Vietnamese lacquer art" - Colonel, journalist Ho Quang Loi, Vice President of the Vietnam Digital Communications Association shared.

Colonel and journalist Ho Quang Loi commented: "Creative talents like Chu Nhat Quang are vivid proof that today's generation is continuing the path opened by their ancestors, with confidence, creativity and passion for national heritage."

A few words about the author - 9x artist

Painter Chu Nhat Quang (born in 1995) grew up in an artistic family in Hanoi. His grandfather was People's Artist Chu Manh Chan, his father was Meritorious Artist Chu Luong, two prominent figures in Vietnamese lacquer and water puppetry. Nhat Quang spent seven years studying in the US and Australia, absorbing Western painting thinking, but chose lacquer, a material closely linked to national traditions, to pursue.

In 2024, he launched the exhibition "Sacred Marks" at Thang Long Imperial Citadel with more than 50 large-scale lacquer works, causing a strong resonance in the art world.

Painter Chu Nhat Quang in the process of creating works for the exhibition "Independence Spring".

At this Exhibition, Chu Nhat Quang continues to affirm his own creative style through the painstaking process of restoring large-scale paintings in one piece using recycled materials, surpassing the inherent color limits of lacquer, creating a shimmering, magical effect while remaining sustainable and environmentally friendly.

He shared: The journey to create “Independence Spring” was a painstaking process of many months, from sketching, finding historical documents, discussing with experts to the elaborate technical stages with the crew. In each line, each layer of paint, Chu Nhat Quang wishes to convey his love for his homeland and the aspirations of today's young generation.

Blending tradition and modernity

Besides the scale of the large-scale paintings, the special feature of “Independence Spring” is its depth of thought. The works do not simply describe history, but also remind and honor the indomitable spirit, the desire for peace and unity of the Vietnamese people.

Viewers encounter images of Ba Dinh Square, One Pillar Pagoda, The Huc Bridge, Hien Luong River, Quang Tri Citadel, Independence Palace... interwoven in the painting space, blending with images of Uncle Ho, Truong Son soldiers, and troops going to battle. All evoke the nation's journey from arduous struggle to the Great Spring Victory of 1975, and the aspiration to reach the future. In many paintings, images of lotus flowers and swallows are incorporated as symbols of revival and belief in a new spring. That is also the consistent message that the author conveys: History is not only for remembering, but also for giving strength to today's journey.

Artist Chu Nhat Quang created the work "Uncle Ho reading the Declaration of Independence"
at the "Independence Spring" painting studio.

The exhibition “Independence Spring” is a testament to the creativity and social responsibility of the young generation of Vietnamese artists. From traditional materials, they have known how to exploit and innovate to suit the contemporary artistic language, contributing to bringing Vietnamese lacquer to the world.

The exhibition "Independence Spring" takes place at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, a special cultural and artistic destination on the occasion of the nation's great anniversary, where the public can listen to history resound through lacquer paintings, and see there the belief and aspiration of an everlasting spring of independence.

HOAI THU

Source: https://nhandan.vn/trien-lam-17-tac-pham-son-mai-kho-lon-mua-xuan-doc-lap-post901769.html