Over 400 years of history
The craft of making folk paintings in Sinh village (or Lai An village), Phu Mau commune, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province, was formed more than 400 years ago, from the 16th-17th century.
Sinh village is located near the capital city of Phu Xuan, the cultural and religious center of the Nguyen Dynasty, so the painting craft developed to serve the spiritual and worshiping needs of the people and the mandarin class.
Unlike Dong Ho or Hang Trong paintings, Sinh village paintings are not only artistic but also have special spiritual significance. The paintings are often used in ancestor and deity worship ceremonies and rituals to pray for peace and ward off evil spirits, especially during Tet.
Worship paintings are an important part of every Hue family during Tet. Sinh village paintings depicting kings, queens, or gods are placed on the altar to pray for a peaceful, happy and prosperous new year.
Tet is also the time when people perform rituals to pray for peace, exorcise evil spirits, and drive away bad things. Paintings of human figures and animals (such as roosters and horses) are used in rituals, meaning to protect the family from bad luck and bring good luck.
In addition to religious purposes, Sinh village paintings are also used to decorate houses. Colorful paintings such as pairs of horses, chickens, flowers and leaves not only create a space imbued with folklore but also carry a message of prosperity and harmony.
The unique beauty of Sinh village paintings
Sinh village paintings stand out with their rustic yet vibrant beauty. Made from traditional Do paper, the paintings are printed from woodblocks and colored with natural materials such as bamboo charcoal, leaves, and clay. The colors consist of only 4-5 basic tones, but the skillful combination brings a simple and harmonious beauty.
The themes of Sinh village paintings are very diverse, from ancestor worship paintings, human figures, to animals and objects. Each painting has symbolic meaning, conveying a profound spiritual and cultural message.
Artisan Ky Huu Phuoc is one of the people who has made great contributions to preserving and developing the craft of making Sinh village paintings. Born in 1960, he is the 17th generation in a family of traditional painting makers.
Since childhood, Mr. Phuoc learned the craft from his father and has constantly innovated to preserve the painting profession. Despite competition from industrial prints, he has persisted in preserving the traditional craft.
In addition to maintaining traditional worship paintings, he also creates new products such as handbags and interior decoration paintings to suit modern tastes.
Artisan Ky Huu Phuoc always focuses on passing on his craft to the younger generation through classes and cultural events, ensuring that the painting craft will not be lost.
Despite facing many challenges, especially competition from industrial products and a lack of successor workers, the painting profession is at risk of extinction.
However, Sinh village paintings still exist thanks to the efforts of artisans and the local community. Especially the promotion through fairs, cultural and tourism festivals, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists in recent times.
Sinh village paintings are not only a cultural heritage but also a symbol of the spiritual life of Hue. In the bustling atmosphere of Tet, Sinh village paintings contribute to enriching cultural traditions, connecting the past and the present.
With the efforts of artisans like Ky Huu Phuoc and support from the community, Sinh village paintings will continue to survive, becoming the pride not only of Hue people but also of the entire Vietnamese nation.
