The craft of painting on glass in Phuoc Thuan Hamlet, Phu Tan Commune (Chau Thanh District) was established more than half a century ago and is famous throughout the South. The glass paintings are not only sold locally but are also popular with customers in many other provinces and cities.
If other famous localities at the same time such as Lai Thieu (Binh Duong province), Cho Lon (Ho Chi Minh City), Cho Moi (An Giang province) tended to develop glass paintings in the Chinese style, glass paintings in Soc Trang carried the cultural identity of the Khmer people.
Ms. Trieu Thi Vui is an artisan who has been painting on glass for over 40 years in Phu Tan commune, Chau Thanh district. She shared that to complete a painting, it must go through many stages, requiring the painter to be skillful, have an aesthetic sense in color coordination, and sharp brushstrokes.
The painting is drawn on a transparent glass plate, the size of the painting is unlimited, the colors are rich. The principle is to draw from the back of the glass plate, the last detail must be drawn first. After drawing, turn it over and that surface is the surface of the painting. This feature has created the uniqueness of glass painting art.
After painting one layer of color, it must be left out in the sun to dry. Then paint a second layer of color and dry it again. The worker alternates each step of painting and drying until the product is finished.
“Most Khmer people follow Buddhism, so the works painted on glass by the Khmer people often tell about the life of Buddha, village landscapes, famous landscapes or pagodas. The paintings are bought by families to worship or decorate their homes,” Ms. Trieu Thi Vui shared.
Although it has been maintained for many years, the glass painting profession in Phu Tan is still done by hand, no process is replaced by machines. Phu Tan glass paintings are very durable, the paint adheres firmly to the glass, difficult to peel or fade.
To preserve and develop the profession, local authorities also support people to learn and pass on the profession; promote and introduce glass painting products at fairs and exhibitions.
Currently, Phu Tan commune is also developing a project to develop tourism in craft villages. When tourism develops, visitors will create opportunities for traditional industries to develop, including glass painting.
