Painter Vi Viet Nga standing in front of her Ao Dai designs on display at the exhibition.

Can you tell us about what brought you to wood-carved paintings and the idea of featuring these paintings on Ao Dai?

Since I started learning fine arts in 2002, I have kept searching for new ideas in creating art. After encountering various materials, I find myself most interested in wood-carved paintings, which bring me warm feelings. Therefore, after graduating from the Viet Bac Art and Culture College, I continued my studies by majoring in wood-carved paintings at the Hanoi Open University.

‘My Hometown’, a wood-carved painting by Vi Viet Nga.

It is undeniable that the Ao Dai has established itself as part of the national identity, and I see a similarity with the genre of wood-carved painting. In 2017, I joined an Ao Dai designing class hosted by celebrated designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam and from then, I came up with the idea of combining wood-carved painting and the traditional costume of Ao Dai.

Can you share us more about advantages and difficulties in realising the idea in your ‘Ban Sac’ exhibition?

With my background in the study of art and design, I have advantages in adapting my wood-carved paintings for Ao Dai. However, making wood-carved paintings is hard work that requires many techniques and good physical health. Fortunately, I receive much support from my family and my colleagues at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Can you give us a short introduction to your exhibition?

At the exhibition, I installed two paintings which look exactly the same but they were featured in two different materials: paper and wood-carved. The wood-carved painting was used as a “mould” to print onto paper and Ao Dai.

Models dressed in Ao Dai designs by Vi Viet Nga.

I have a deep love and aspiration to preserve the country’s traditional values. Wood is a very close material to the life of ethnic minority groups, therefore I focus on the daily practices and old customs of tribes in Vietnam’s northern region through my 25 wood-carved paintings and 12 Ao Dai outfits.

I hope that my artworks can promote the traditional values of ethnic groups in the mountainous region to the public, art lovers, and foreigners alike. By adapting wood-carved paintings into the two flaps of Ao Dai, I also hope to bring a fresh look and charm to Vietnam’s traditional and elegant outfit.

Thank you so much for your sharing!

Village with mural paintings in Tam Giang lagoon

Located on Tam Giang lagoon, Ngu My Thanh village in Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district, Thua thien – Hue province, has a wild beauty with a peaceful lagoon as well as fishing boats.

Colouring book features Dong Ho folk paintings

The Hanoi Ceramic Museum and The Gioi Publishers on July 31 introduced to the public a book on Dong Ho folk paintings. 

Painting by Vietnamese hearing-impaired artist on display in Italy

“Mother and child” painting by hearing-impaired artist Duong Phuong Linh is being displayed at the RealEYES art gallery at Vinicio hotel, Ansedonia town, Italy’s Tuscany region from July 26 and August 5.

Vietnamese artists’ mural painting inaugurated in France

A group of Vietnamese artists led by painter Nguyen Thu Thuy have unveiled a mural painting on the dyke wall along Seine river bank in Choisy le Roi city, France.

Beauty of the lotus featured through contemporary paintings

The beauty of the lotus is vividly depicted through more than 50 contemporary paintings which are on display at P.I Gallery in Hanoi from June 15 to 23.

Source: NDO