Folk Paintings: The Remake - Duplicate

FOLK PAINTINGS – THE REMAKE

PROJECT INFORMATION

Medium: Pencil on Paper, Digital Colored

Time: May 2016 - December 2016

Exhibition: 13th January 2017 - 28 February 2017

Location: Nest by AIA, Vincom Center Hanoi

Medium: Pencil on Paper, Digital

Time: May 2016 - December 2016

Exhibition: 13th January 2017 - 28 February 2017

Location: Nest by AIA, Vincom Center Hanoi

« Folk Paintings – the Remake, a project conducted in 2016, features the modern renditions of more than 20 Vietnamese folk paintings. Besides, in the project, the folk paintings are also applied in the daily products. On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Rooster, I organized an exhibition with a view to showcasing the project. As a tradition of the ancient Vietnamese, Lunar New Year is also the time when people make their way to the Tet markets and buy the folk paintings to decorate their homes.»

THE ARTWORKS

ROOSTER AND ROSES

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

By all accounts, the ancient Vietnamese associated the rooster with Five Virtues of a warrior: Literature – Martial Art – Bravery – Humaneness – Credibility. With the roses around, the artwork symbolizes a rooster crowing to wake the Sun up, which is a sign of energy and good luck.

ROOSTER AND ROSES

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

By all accounts, the ancient Vietnamese associated the rooster with Five Virtues of a warrior: Literature – Martial Art – Bravery – Humaneness – Credibility. With the roses around, the artwork symbolizes a rooster crowing to wake the Sun up, which is a sign of energy and good luck.

CARP

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

A popular painting during the Tet Holiday, which represents the wish of good luck and fortune. In the Oriental culture, legend has it that carp are capable of jumping over the Dragon Gate to transform into dragons. Thus, carp is a symbol of supreme effort, fortune, success and hope. Every year, on the 23rd of December in the Lunar Calendar, the Kitchen God rides the carp to return to Heaven to report the activities of every household to the Jade Emperor.

CARP

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

A popular painting during the Tet Holiday, which represents the wish of good luck and fortune. In the Oriental culture, legend has it that carp are capable of jumping over the Dragon Gate to transform into dragons. Thus, carp is a symbol of supreme effort, fortune, success and hope. Every year, on the 23rd of December in the Lunar Calendar, the Kitchen God rides the carp to return to Heaven to report the activities of every household to the Jade Emperor.

FIVE TIGERS

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

According to Vietnamese religious belief, tiger possesses a sacred power to keep the ghosts away. In many ancient families, there were altars specially designed to worship the tiger, with the “Five Tiger” painting hung above. The painting features five tigers with a balanced structure, each tiger in a unique posture: one Is standing, one is sitting, another is riding the cloud and wind, … The structure, together with the strokes and colors, effectively depicts the vigorous and mighty air of the king of the forest.

FIVE TIGERS

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

According to Vietnamese religious belief, tiger possesses a sacred power to keep the ghosts away. In many ancient families, there were altars specially designed to worship the tiger, with the “Five Tiger” painting hung above. The painting features five tigers with a balanced structure, each tiger in a unique posture: one Is standing, one is sitting, another is riding the cloud and wind, … The structure, together with the strokes and colors, effectively depicts the vigorous and mighty air of the king of the forest.

FIVE TIGERS - HORIZONTAL VERSION

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

MILITARY MANDARIN

Vũ Di Religious Painting - Vĩnh Phúc Province

In each dynasty, if the literature mandarins are those who develop exceptional talent for literature and poetry and strategic planning, military mandarin are those who are masters at martial arts with great military leadership on the battlefields. The painting features the military mandarin with an imposing and august posture, reminding us of a Dharmapāla (Defender of the Law) in Buddhism.

MILITARY MANDARIN

Vũ Di Religious Painting - Vĩnh Phúc Province

In each dynasty, if the literature mandarins are those who develop exceptional talent for literature and poetry and strategic planning, military mandarin are those who are masters at martial arts with great military leadership on the battlefields. The painting features the military mandarin with an imposing and august posture, reminding us of a Dharmapāla (Defender of the Law) in Buddhism.

THE DRIFT OF PIGS

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The artwork features a litter of piglets surrounding a corpulent pig, which stands for the dream of a prosperous, peaceful and fruitful life. It is often presented to the newlyweds in the hope that they will soon have babies.

THE DRIFT OF PIGS

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The artwork features a litter of piglets surrounding a corpulent pig, which stands for the dream of a prosperous, peaceful and fruitful life. It is often presented to the newlyweds in the hope that they will soon have babies.

RED TIGER

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The artwork features one of the Five Tigers with red color, representing the Fire in Five Elements and standing for the South. Besides the application of Five Elements, what makes this painting distinctive is the figure of the tiger with a strong body, an imposing posture and vibrant eyes.

RED TIGER

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The artwork features one of the Five Tigers with red color, representing the Fire in Five Elements and standing for the South.
Besides the application of Five Elements, what makes this painting distinctive is the figure of the tiger with a strong body, an imposing posture and vibrant eyes.

THÁNH GIÓNG

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Thánh Gióng (Phù Đổng Thiên Vương), is a mythical folk hero of Vietnam’s history and one of the Four Immortals.
He is regarded as a symbol of patriotism and youthful vigor.

THÁNH GIÓNG

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Thánh Gióng (Phù Đổng Thiên Vương), is a mythical folk hero of Vietnam’s history and one of the Four Immortals. He is regarded as a symbol of patriotism and youthful vigor.

LADY TRIỆU

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Lady Triệu (225 – 248), also known as Trieu Au, Trieu Trinh Nuong, was a female warrior in the 3rd century. She went down in history as a great heroine, a brave commander who kept fighting for the national sovereignty. She is quoted as saying, “I would like to ride storms, kill sharks in the open sea, drive out the aggressors, reconquer the country, undo the ties of serfdom, and never bend my back to be the concubine of whatever man."

LADY TRIỆU

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Lady Triệu (225 – 248), also known as Trieu Au, Trieu Trinh Nuong, was a female warrior in the 3rd century. She went down in history as a great heroine, a brave commander who kept fighting for the national sovereignty. She is quoted as saying, “I would like to ride storms, kill sharks in the open sea, drive out the aggressors, reconquer the country, undo the ties of serfdom, and never bend my back to be the concubine of whatever man."

EMINENCE

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The artwork features a boy embracing a rooster, which represents the wish of good fortune and great success.
In traditional Chinese, “a big rooster” and “great fortune” are homophones.

EMINENCE

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The artwork features a boy embracing a rooster, which represents the wish of good fortune and great success. In traditional Chinese, “a big rooster” and “great fortune” are homophones.

PROSPERITY & HONOUR

Dong Ho Folk Painting

“Prosperity and Honour” features a girl embracing a duck with a lotus behind, which is the symbol of purity and nobility. Also, the duck which is lying but still keeping his head held high represents the aspiration of conquering all the challenges in life. This is one of the most popular paintings hung in Vietnamese families during the Tet holiday.

PROSPERITY & HONOUR

Dong Ho Folk Painting

“Prosperity and Honour” features a girl embracing a duck with a lotus behind, which is the symbol of purity and nobility. Also, the duck which is lying but still keeping his head held high represents the aspiration of conquering all the challenges in life. This is one of the most popular paintings hung in Vietnamese families during the Tet holiday.

PEACEFUL WORLD

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The artwork, named after the letters printed on it, features a peacock, which is alleged to embody the aesthetic values and prestigious virtues. Besides, during Tet holiday, the painting of a peacock is also believed to keep the ghosts away from the family.

PEACEFUL WORLD

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The artwork, named after the letters printed on it, features a peacock, which is alleged to embody the aesthetic values and prestigious virtues. Besides, during Tet holiday, the painting of a peacock is also believed to keep the ghosts away from the family.

CRANE

Nghệ An Folk Painting

According to Asian mythology, the crane is the most important creature among all kinds of birds. It represents the virtues of a typical gentleman. The artwork features a crane in a strong and imposing posture, which stands for determination and willpower. Besides, crane holds many other meanings, such as eternal youth, omniscience and affluent life.

CRANE

Nghệ An Folk Painting

According to Asian mythology, the crane is the most important creature among all kinds of birds. It represents the virtues of a typical gentleman. The artwork features a crane in a strong and imposing posture, which stands for determination and willpower.
Besides, crane holds many other meanings, such as eternal youth, omniscience and affluent life.

GOD OF WEALTH

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The painting is often hung in front of the each house with a view to welcoming the wealth and prosperity home on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. In the painting, one hand of the God is holding the book – which represents the acquisition of knowledge, the other hand holding the scepter with the phrase: “The wealth comes as abundantly as the water.” That’s also the lifelong dream of all Vietnamese farmers.

GOD OF WEALTH

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The painting is often hung in front of the each house with a view to welcoming the wealth and prosperity home on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. In the painting, one hand of the God is holding the book – which represents the acquisition of knowledge, the other hand holding the scepter with the phrase: “The wealth comes as abundantly as the water.” That’s also the lifelong dream of all Vietnamese farmers.

THE TRƯNG SISTERS

Dong Ho Folk Painting

The Trưng sisters were Vietnamese military leaders who ruled for three years after rebelling in AD 40 against the first Chinese domination of Vietnam. They are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam. The image of two female warriors riding elephants to the battlefield has gone down in history as a symbol for the patriotism of Vietnamese females in particular and all of the Vietnam- ese in general.

THE TRƯNG SISTERS

Dong Ho Folk Painting

The Trưng sisters were Vietnamese military leaders who ruled for three years after rebelling in AD 40 against the first Chinese domination of Vietnam. They are regarded as national heroines of Vietnam. The image of two female warriors riding elephants to the battlefield has gone down in history as a symbol for the patriotism of Vietnamese females in particular and all of the Vietnam- ese in general.

LITTLE BUFFALO BOY PLAYING FLUTE

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

To Vietnamese farmers, buffalos are the most valued possessions. In the painting, the buffalo pricks its ears, moves its feet to the sound of the flute and wag its tail happily. It seems that the buffalo also enjoys the music and feels as happy as the boy does. Besides farm work, buffalos are true friends of the farmers who go through all the ups and downs with them. The painting also praises clever little boys for helping their parents in the fields.

LITTLE BUFFALO BOY PLAYING FLUTE

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

To Vietnamese farmers, buffalos are the most valued possessions. In the painting, the buffalo pricks its ears, moves its feet to the sound of the flute and wag its tail happily. It seems that the buffalo also enjoys the music and feels as happy as the boy does. Besides farm work, buffalos are true friends of the farmers who go through all the ups and downs with them. The painting also praises clever little boys for helping their parents in the fields.

LITTLE BUFFALO BOY FLYING A KITE

Dong Ho Folk Painting

The painting illustrates a peaceful scene of the countryside in Vietnam, with a beautiful buffalo, a symbol of Vietnamese’s agriculture, and a boy lying on its back, wearing a loincloth, holding a kite suspended in the sky. These familiar images, together with the boy’s full stomach, represent wealth and happiness.

LITTLE BUFFALO BOY FLYING A KITE

Dong Ho Folk Painting

The painting illustrates a peaceful scene of the countryside in Vietnam, with a beautiful buffalo, a symbol of Vietnamese’s agriculture, and a boy lying on its back, wearing a loincloth, holding a kite suspended in the sky. These familiar images, together with the boy’s full stomach, represent wealth and happiness.

DRAGON DANCE

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The painting depicts a form of traditional dance in Vietnamese cultures. It is usually performed during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. In Asian culture, dragon symbolizes prosperity, good luck and happiness. With happy faces and bright hues, the picture becomes more brilliant and full of festive vibes.

DRAGON DANCE

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The painting depicts a form of traditional dance in Vietnamese cultures. It is usually performed during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. In Asian culture, dragon symbolizes prosperity, good luck and happiness. With happy faces and bright hues, the picture becomes more brilliant and full of festive vibes.

YUE LAO

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Yue Lao (The Matchmaker Deity) is a god of marriage and love in the mythology. She is supposed to unite with a silken cord all predestined couples, after which nothing can prevent their union. In the painting, Yue Lao, riding a phoenix, is tying the couple with a red cord, which represents the wish that the young boys and girls in the family with soon get married to their suitable partners and live happily ever after.

YUE LAO

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Yue Lao (The Matchmaker Deity) is a god of marriage and love in the mythology. She is supposed to unite with a silken cord all predestined couples, after which nothing can prevent their union. In the painting, Yue Lao, riding a phoenix, is tying the couple with a red cord, which represents the wish that the young boys and girls in the family with soon get married to their suitable partners and live happily ever after.

SEVEN KIDS

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

This is one of the favorite paintings among the urban dwellers and often hung in each family on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. It is regarded as a wish for fertility and a prosperous life. The peach tree in blossom, together with seven chubby kids and bright colors, makes the artwork both lively and luxurious.

SEVEN KIDS

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

This is one of the favorite paintings among the urban dwellers and often hung in each family on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. It is regarded as a wish for fertility and a prosperous life. The peach tree in blossom, together with seven chubby kids and bright colors, makes the artwork both lively and luxurious.

ĐỨC THÁNH TRẦN

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

Trần Hưng Đạo (1228 – 1300) was a politician, a writer, and the Supreme Commander of Vietnam during the Trần Dynasty. He is also regarded as on of the most accomplished military tacticians in Vietnam’s and the world’s history. He successfully commanded the Đại Việt armies that repelled three major Mongol invasions in the 13th century. In honor of his glorious achievements, he is reserved by the Vietnamese as a national hero with many shrines dedicated to him all over the country.

ĐỨC THÁNH TRẦN

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

Trần Hưng Đạo (1228 – 1300) was a politician, a writer, and the Supreme Commander of Vietnam during the Trần Dynasty. He is also regarded as on of the most accomplished military tacticians in Vietnam’s and the world’s history. He successfully commanded the Đại Việt armies that repelled three major Mongol invasions in the 13th century. In honor of his glorious achievements, he is reserved by the Vietnamese as a national hero with many shrines dedicated to him all over the country.

THE THIRD PRINCE RIDING THE FISH

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The artwork features Ông Hoàng Bơ, one of the Four Emperors, the third son of Long Vương Bát Hải Động Đình. In the drawing, the Prince has the graceful and ravishing appearance, wearing a white large-sleeved ceremonial robe and a wushamao (Ming official headwear), one hand holding the scepter, representing the royal power. Behind him are the servants holding the casket and parasol.

THE THIRD PRINCE RIDING THE FISH

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The artwork features Ông Hoàng Bơ, one of the Four Emperors, the third son of Long Vương Bát Hải Động Đình. In the drawing, the Prince has the graceful and ravishing appearance, wearing a white large-sleeved ceremonial robe and a wushamao (Ming official headwear), one hand holding the scepter, representing the royal power. Behind him are the servants holding the casket and parasol.

THE FIRST PRINCE RIDING THE SNAKE

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The painting features the First Prince. Legend has it that he often rode his snake, which has three heads and nine tails when going sightseeing on the waters. He is believed to bless merchants and students who are studying for important exams.

THE FIRST PRINCE RIDING THE SNAKE

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The painting features the First Prince. Legend has it that he often rode his snake, which has three heads and nine tails when going sightseeing on the waters. He is believed to bless merchants and students who are studying for important exams.

PRINCESS OF THE FOREST

Dong Ho Folk Painting

Princess of the Forest is the ruler of the Forest Palace among the spirits of the Four Palaces in Vietnamese indigenous religion. Legend has it that Princess of the Forest was the daughter of prince Sơn Tinh and Mỵ Nương, King Hùng’s daughter.

PRINCESS OF THE FOREST

Hang Trong Folk Painting

Princess of the Forest is the ruler of the Forest Palace among the spirits of the Four Palaces in Vietnamese indigenous religion. Legend has it that Princess of the Forest was the daughter of prince Sơn Tinh and Mỵ Nương, King Hùng’s daughter.

FOUR FEMALE MUSICIANS

Hang Trong Folk Painting

“Four female musicians” is considered the epitome of Hang Trong Folk Paintings. The painting features 4 Vietnamese ladies in the traditional costumes with four different postures: one playing flute, one holding the “sênh tiền”(castanets with coined stringed), another holding a paper fan and the other playing the “nguyệt” (the moon-shaped two- chord guitar). All of these pieces of the quartet help to depict the beautiful appearance and soul of traditional Vietnamese women.

FOUR FEMALE MUSICIANS

Hang Trong Folk Painting

“Four female musicians” is considered the epitome of Hang Trong Folk Paintings. The painting features 4 Vietnamese ladies in the traditional costumes with four different postures: one playing flute, one holding the “sênh tiền”(castanets with coined stringed), another holding a paper fan and the other playing the “nguyệt” (the moon-shaped two- chord guitar). All of these pieces of the quartet help to depict the beautiful appearance and soul of traditional Vietnamese women.

VICIOUS GAMECOCKS

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The painting features a family of chickens, including a hen, a cock and a clutch of chicks. On the picture are the letters: “Abundant offspring – Like father like son.” The arrangement and structure of the hen and the cock make their roles in the family become more distinct. It portrays the happy and cozy ambiance of a large family.

VICIOUS GAMECOCKS

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The painting features a family of chickens, including a hen, a cock and a clutch of chicks. On the picture are the letters: “Abundant offspring – Like father like son.” The arrangement and structure of the hen and the cock make their roles in the family become more distinct. It portrays the happy and cozy ambiance of a large family.

THE RAT'S WEDDING

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

“The Rat’s Wedding” is one of the most renowned painting of Dong Ho Folk Painting. On the surface,the picture depicts a cheerful and imposing wedding between two rats with trumpets, flags, a sedan chair for the bride and a horse and a parasol for the groom, accompanied by the relatives of two rats. However, a closer look at the painting reveals the rats’ terror and an old cat snarling and raising his paw to threaten the rats... This conveys a satirical message and condemns the corruption issue among the ruling class of the past society.

THE RAT'S WEDDING

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

“The Rat’s Wedding” is one of the most renowned painting of Dong Ho Folk Painting. On the surface,the picture depicts a cheerful and imposing wedding between two rats with trumpets, flags, a sedan chair for the bride and a horse and a parasol for the groom, accompanied by the relatives of two rats. However, a closer look at the painting reveals the rats’ terror and an old cat snarling and raising his paw to threaten the rats... This conveys a satirical message and condemns the corruption issue among the ruling class of the past society.

THE CLUTCH OF CHICKENS

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The painting features a hen surrounded by ten baby chickens, each is different in the gesture and posture but all are very playful and energetic. The principal hue of the artwork is made up of warm colors, making it brighter with a sky full of sunlight. The painting stands for the farmer’s dream of fertility and happy families.

THE CLUTCH OF CHICKENS

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The painting features a hen surrounded by ten baby chickens, each is different in the gesture and posture but all are very playful and energetic. The principal hue of the artwork is made up of warm colors, making it brighter with a sky full of sunlight. The painting stands for the farmer’s dream of fertility and happy families.

RATS PERFORMING DRAGON DANCE

Dong Ho Folk Painting

“Rats Perform Dragon Dance” features a mischief of rats performing dragon dance to celebrate the New Year. The painting symbolizes the hope for peace, favourable weather and a bumper crop and a happy life in the year to come.

RATS PERFORMING DRAGON DANCE

Dong Ho Folk Painting

“Rats Perform Dragon Dance” features a mischief of rats performing dragon dance to celebrate the New Year. The painting symbolizes the hope for peace, favourable weather and a bumper crop and a happy life in the year to come.

THE PEACOCK

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

THE CARP LOOKS FOR THE MOON

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

THE EXHIBITION

An exhibition was held on the threshold of the Lunar New Year at Nest by AIA - Vincom Center Hanoi when the spring was just round the corner. All the artworks are printed on canvas and displayed together with the products of applied arts and a special folding screen made from organza. Within 2 weeks, the exhibition welcomed an audience of about 500 people of all ages & gained of various news report. Here some of the few pictures from the exhibition.

Photos Credit: HOÈN

THE MERCHANDISES

Photos Credit: Thành Trung

Stylist: Ngọc M Trần

Photos Credit: Thành Trung

Stylist: Ngọc M Trần

Photos Credit: SHE BY HOA NGUYEN

BEHIND THE SCENES