Preserving the old profession: The last artisan painting glass of the Khmer people

A time of glory

In Khmer, glass painting is called "Kùmnu Kànhchót". Born more than half a century ago, the glass painting profession of the Khmer people experienced its golden age in the 1990s and had more than 100 households practicing the profession. Khmer glass painting is loved throughout the South because of its unique features imbued with indigenous culture.

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Khmer glass paintings are painted on the back of transparent glass, a technique that requires careful and backward calculation. First, the artist cuts the glass to the desired size, lines the sketch paper underneath, then uses a brush to outline, applying white, black and colored paint in the reverse order of normal painting. The razor blade acts as an "eraser", used to scrape off smudged brush strokes while painting, bringing out the sharpness of the lines.

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Unlike the glass paintings of the Kinh and Chinese people, which often carry religious or folk content, the glass paintings of the Khmer people express the worldview and distinct beliefs of Southern Buddhism. From images of Buddha, gods to paintings of grandparents and parents, all are depicted in a unique style, costume and expression. These details create a line of paintings with a unique identity that is difficult to confuse.

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Thuan Hoa Commune, Can Tho City (formerly Phu Tan Commune, Chau Thanh District, Soc Trang ) has a large Khmer population. This place is not only famous for its weaving craft but also known as the cradle of Khmer glass painting's quintessence. However, over time, when modern printing technology and many types of industrial paintings took the lead, the traditional painting craft gradually fell into oblivion. From hundreds of households, now only Ms. Trieu Thi Vui remains quietly preserving the old craft.

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Stained glass painting - preserving ancestral cultural values

Mrs. Vui said that although she can only paint a few dozen paintings each month, for her it is not only a way to make a living but also a way to preserve the cultural values ​​of her ancestors. "In the past, everyone in the neighborhood made glass paintings, the atmosphere was very bustling. Now it is sad, only I am left. But I cannot quit, because I love my job and my culture," Mrs. Vui confided.

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With an average income of about 150,000 VND/day, she still has enough to live on and has time to look after her grandchildren. More importantly, glass paintings still play an indispensable role in the spiritual life of many Khmer families, especially in worship and home decoration.

Each painting can take several days to complete, depending on its complexity. "After finishing a layer of paint, you have to dry it in the sun before you can apply the next layer of paint. This process is repeated several times to get a complete painting," said Ms. Vui.

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The themes of the paintings are quite diverse, from Buddhist stories, dragon dances, rice spirit goddesses, temple landscapes to famous landmarks. The paintings have vibrant colors, reflecting different aesthetic tastes between regions, such as the color of Buddha's robes or lotus flowers, which also have many variations.

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Although it is not difficult to learn, it only takes a few days to hold a brush, and a few months to know how to draw lines, the glass painting profession still lacks successors. The reason is that the job requires patience and meticulousness, but the income is not high. "Young people are no longer interested, so I am very worried. If not careful, this profession will disappear in a few years," Ms. Vui said sadly.