"The beauty" 50 years in 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.
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| Meritorious artist Nguyen Thi Oanh owns nearly 300 genres of paintings and about 60 themes. (Photo: Anh Duc) |
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She said: “When I was 9-10 years old, I spent half a day at school and half a day at home drawing with my mother. In 1974, I joined the craft village cooperative and was lucky enough to marry into the family of the late artisan Nguyen Huu Sam, giving me the opportunity to draw and work.”
Inheriting the traditional profession of her ancestors, besides collecting and restoring ancient engravings, artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh also created many more works. After nearly 50 years of working 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 art exhibitions, winning many awards. Her paintings have been present at many major events in France, Germany, Czech Republic, India, United Arab Emirates, etc.
For artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh, being able to bring her father's traditional craft, promote the cultural beauty of her homeland and country to international friends and receive 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 me 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 homeland.
And in 2024, my wife and I were honored to go to the Government Office to introduce the printing technique; the meaning and artistic value of Dong Ho paintings and guide Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang 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 preserve Dong Ho painting and develop it further. She said: “I tell myself to always try to do my best and get better every day to enrich the profession I love and am passionate about.”
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| 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 Dong Ho painting craft of the village.
At the age of 90, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Dang Che is still lucid in introducing his painting style and recounting his memories after more than 60 years of working in 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 ancients used to say, "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 that the paper is made from Do leaves, the white color is from butterfly pea, the red color is from mountain pebbles, the yellow color is from locust trees, the green color is from indigo leaves, the black color is from bamboo leaves...
In particular, all materials are natural and completely handmade. At the same time, the paintings contain simple content about life and culture; reflecting the thoughts, feelings, lifestyle and way 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.
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| 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: “ Admirable and magnificent journey with typical chaleureux for the Vietnamese! Thank you for visiting this village and for letting us know the artist!"
(Translation: Admirable work and a warm welcome typical of Vietnamese people. Thank you for showing us around 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.
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