The Journey to Discover “Sắc Tâm”
Amid the fast pace of modern life, people continue to long for enduring values — a place where the eyes can behold beauty and the tâm can find peace. The Sac Tam exhibition was born from that aspiration: an artistic space that harmoniously combines lacquer painting and the fragrance of trầm tuệ, where external beauty and inner tranquility meet, reflect, and elevate one another.
“Sắc”
Nguyen Art Gallery presents lacquer paintings of Hanoi — where each layer of lacquer embodies a layer of time, and every brushstroke carries memory and essence.
“Tâm”
Alongside lacquer art, Trầm Tuệ brings a space filled with agarwood fragrance — a symbol of purity and serenity in Eastern culture.
Nguyên Art Gallery – Lacquer Painting Exhibition
THE TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, STREET CORNERS, HERITAGE SITES, AND URBAN MEMORIES.
Nguyen Art Gallery – Touching the Beauty of the Tangible
Lacquer, one of the most distinctive materials in Vietnamese fine art, is chosen for its unparalleled depth and timeless beauty. Unlike other mediums, lacquer painting demands patience, precision, and time — as each layer of resin, gold, silver, and eggshell is applied, then polished by hand to reveal a luminous inner world. This slow and meditative process mirrors the rhythm of Hanoi itself — a city that carries a thousand years of history within its every street, roof tile, and moss-covered wall.
In sơn mài paintings, each layer of lacquer embodies a layer of time, and every line reflects a distillation of essence. Through this exhibition, 13 artists present 20 unique works, each offering a different perspective on Hanoi — not just as a place, but as a living memory.
These works invite viewers to see beyond surface beauty — to feel the cultural depth, the endurance of memory, and the quiet pride of Vietnamese identity.
Moments with Lacquer Masterpieces
Moments with Lacquer Artists
The Hung Kings Chess Set – Artist Le Xuan Huong
Artist: Le Xuan Huong
Materials: Ebony wood, maple wood, 24K gold-plated bronze
Creative Concept:
Chess is not only a game of intellect or a sport of strategy but also a symbol of balance and a reflection of life’s philosophy. For artist Le Xuan Huong, chess becomes a medium to tell stories of Vietnamese culture, history, and national pride.
The Hung Kings Chess Set was born from that aspiration — a desire to bring the Vietnamese spirit onto the international chessboard. Each chess piece draws inspiration from familiar national symbols such as the Dong Son bronze drum, Saint Giong’s iron horse, Lạc tướng and Lạc hầu (tribal leaders), Lạc Việt queens, and the soldiers defending the homeland.
The Hung Kings Chess Set stands as a true work of art — one that embodies profound cultural and historical value.
Memorable Moments from the “Sac Tam” Exhibition
