SắcTâm

Touching Sắc, Sensing Tâm. Lacquer paintings of Hanoi, with the fragrance of agarwood.

13 artists and 20 works at Nguyen Art Gallery, Van Mieu, Hanoi. Admission free.
Echoes of the Past - Lacquer Painting by Artist Do Khai

The beauty of the tangible

Through patience and craftsmanship, Vietnamese lacquer transforms natural materials such as resin, gold, silver and eggshell into luminous works of art. Each layer is carefully applied and hand-polished, revealing depth and beauty over time.

Inspired by Hanoi’s thousand-year heritage, thirteen artists present twenty works that capture the city’s landmarks, streets and living memories – celebrating its cultural depth and enduring Vietnamese identity.

The Temple of Literature, street corners, heritage sites and urban memories.

  1. Resin the first layer
  2. Gold applied and sealed
  3. Silver applied and sealed
  4. Eggshell set into the surface
  5. Hand polish reveals what lies beneath

Sơn mài: every layer is added, then polished back by hand.

Sắc

The beauty the eye can hold

Nguyen Art Gallery presents lacquer paintings of Hanoi, where each layer of lacquer holds a layer of time and every brushstroke carries memory and essence.

Tâm

The stillness the heart finds

Alongside the paintings, Trầm Tuệ fills the space with agarwood fragrance, a symbol of purity and serenity in Eastern culture.

 

Moment with lacquer masterpice

Lacquer paintings

Dau Quang Anh

Where Time Settles

ARTIST: Dau Quang Anh
MATERIAL: Lacquer on wood
SIZE: 100cm*150cm | 39.37 inches*59.06 inches
GALLERY: Nguyen Art 31A Van Mieu

Do Khai

The Festival

ARTIST: Do Khai
MATERIAL: Lacquer on wood
SIZE: 120cm*240cm | 47.24 inches*94.49 inches
GALLERY: Nguyen Art 31A Van Mieu

ARTIST: Chu Viet Cuong
MATERIAL: Lacquer on wood
SIZE: 100cm*150cm | 39.37 inches*59.06 inches
GALLERY: Nguyen Art 31A Van Mieu

Chu Viet Cuong

Suc Van Gate

ARTIST: Chu Viet Cuong
MATERIAL: Lacquer on wood
SIZE: 120cm*120cm | 47.24 inches*47.24 inches
GALLERY: Nguyen Art 31A Van Mieu

ARTIST: Luong Huyen
MATERIAL: Lacquer on wood
SIZE: 80cm*120cm | 31.50 inches*47.24 inches
GALLERY: Nguyen Art 31A Van Mieu

ARTIST: Do Khai
MATERIAL: Lacquer on wood
SIZE: 100cm*120cm | 39.37 inches*47.24 inches
GALLERY: Nguyen Art 31A Van Mieu

A Dialogue with Life - Lacquer Artwork by Artist Henry Le
Explore A Dialogue with Life

A Dialogue with Life Lacquer Artwork by Artist Henry Le

A Dialogue with Life by artist Henry Le is an expressive fusion of art, craftsmanship and imagination. This distinctive pair of hand-shaped chairs transforms an everyday furniture form into an artistic statement. The sculptural hands, adorned with intricate lacquer patterns and rich golden tones, evoke a sense of human presence, connection and creativity.

Through the interplay of form, symbolism and traditional Vietnamese lacquer craftsmanship, Henry Le invites viewers to reconsider the relationship between art and daily life. More than functional objects, these chairs become a visual dialogue between the human experience and the surrounding world.

Materials: Wood, Vietnamese lacquer, eggshell inlay, gold leaf.

Memorable moments from the exhibitions