Do Duc Khai and the timeless beauty of traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting
In Vietnam, the painting profession has a history of thousands of years, but shaped lacquer has been established for less than a century. With its uniqueness in shaping methods, this material quickly became a typical artistic value of Vietnam and was respected by the world. After the Doi Moi period, despite the opportunity to open up to many different types of art, there are still many artists who still maintain the traditional lacquer painting style, typically Do Duc Khai.
Get to know artist Do Duc Khai
Born in 1969 in Hai Duong, Do Duc Khai is a graduate of the Vietnam University of Fine Arts. He is a member of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and a founding figure of the Vietnamese Painters Group. Having once served as a specialist at the central office of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, Do Duc Khai is a regular participant in domestic and international exhibitions.
Throughout his prolific career, Do Duc Khai has exhibited at prestigious venues and participated in numerous notable exhibitions. Green Palm Gallery records that he has showcased his lacquer paintings in countries such as Russia, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, China, and Taiwan. His work has also appeared in leading Asian lacquer art exhibitions, Vietnam-Ottchil Lacquer ware exhibition in Korea, annual exhibitions of the Vietnamese Son Ta Painters Group, and the Biennale International Fine Art exhibitions in Beijing (2012, 2015).
Beyond the exhibition circuit, Do Duc Khai’s paintings are part of prominent collections, including those of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, the Vietnam Military History Museum, the Ministry of Public Security Museum, the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum, and various private collectors both in Vietnam and abroad. These milestones reflect his distinctive standing in the evolving landscape of contemporary Vietnamese lacquer painting.
Do Duc Khai in his studio, creating a new lacquer painting (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn)
Infusing traditional lacquer techniques into contemporary works
The main themes in Do Duc Khai’s works are mainly labor images, historical images, especially industrial images during the period of innovation transition. Although using traditional materials, Do Duc Khai absolutely does not follow the beaten path but applies visual language and new artistic concepts in his paintings. The industrial theme is quite an interesting topic, but if not exploited properly, it will not fully portray the spirit of labor or inspire viewers. Do Duc Khai is one of the artists who loves and exploits this topic very well.
Besides, he also has many works about nature, especially lotus flowers. Using traditional colors in lacquer paintings such as red, white, and yellow, Do Duc Khai plucks the freshest lotus flowers and places them in the frame. Completely different from usual works that convey the coolness of the lotus, Do Duc Khai creates a fierce contrast effect on the viewer: The white lotus stands out in the soft but red scene of June’s heat.
His works, whether labor work or lyrical landscapes, have a strong feeling with modern forms in every detail. While other artists seek to bring softness and gentleness into the space, Do Duc Khai chooses the perspective of the constantly changing and evolving pace of life. His creativity has no limits, even with the technically “restrictive” genre he chooses, lacquer painting. Do Duc Khai still seeks to explore the expressive power of our paint material while still preserving the criteria: Shiny, smooth, deep - the criteria of this traditional art.
Featured lacquer paintings by Do Duc Khai at Green Palm Gallery
Summer Noon
“Summer Noon” (80 x 110 cm) is a signature lacquer work by Do Duc Khai, drawing inspiration from the lotus, his favored theme. Rather than directly illustrating the sweltering mid-day sun or villages cast in bright light, the painting gently evokes the tranquility of the Vietnamese countryside through blooming lotuses, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and nuanced, delicate details.
With traditional materials, Do Duc Khai not only achieves visual depth but artfully balances the rustic charm of everyday life with the contemplative luxury of classic lacquer. This harmony between the "materials of art" and the "substance of life" offers viewers a moment of peaceful reflection.
"Summer Noon" by Do Duc Khai
Quiet Moment
“Quiet Moment” (100 x 100 cm) is another standout lacquer painting, continuing the artist’s exploration of the lotus motif. However, this work adopts a more subdued mood compared to “Summer Noon.” The color palette becomes softer, more transparent, inviting a sense of calm and serenity rather than vibrant exuberance.
Meticulously refined details create a space rich with depth, where moments of peace seem to settle on the lacquer surface itself. Through skillful layering of color, light, and the distinctive gloss of lacquer, Do Duc Khai presents the lotus as both familiar and profoundly nuanced-a gentle pause inviting viewers to contemplate both image and tradition.
The subtle beauty of "Quiet Moment" by Do Duc Khai
Floating Market
In “Floating Market” (50 x 75 cm), Do Duc Khai moves beyond the familiar lotus, turning his attention to the vibrant traditions of riverside life. This lacquer painting captures the essence of a bustling market on the water - a scene deeply woven into the fabric of Vietnam’s river regions.
Even with a glimpse of just one corner of the market, the painting vividly conveys the lively energy of people, stalls, and the rhythmic flow of boats. Through lacquer, this everyday scene emerges with both rustic authenticity and resonant emotional depth, elevating the simple beauty of daily labor.
“Floating Market” exemplifies the signature approach of Do Duc Khai: using traditional materials to express the vitality and dynamic spirit of modern life. The everyday subject matter enhances rather than diminishes the painting's artistry, creating a powerful connection with viewers.
"Floating Market" - an iconic lacquer depiction of Vietnamese daily life by Do Duc Khai
Through scenes of peaceful lotuses, tranquil villages, and bustling floating markets, artist Do Duc Khai creates a nuanced balance between the familiar beauty of Vietnamese life and the profound depths of son ta lacquer. His distinctive approach infuses tradition with new imagination, affirming his unique place in the evolution of contemporary lacquer art.
Several of Do Duc Khai’s exceptional lacquer paintings can be viewed at Green Palm Gallery. For art lovers, especially those with a passion for lacquer painting, a visit to the gallery offers the opportunity to experience his works firsthand and appreciate the enduring appeal of this time-honored Vietnamese tradition.
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GREEN PALM GALLERY Gallery in Ha Noi: 39 Hang Gai, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Gallery in HCM City: 49 Mac Thi Buoi, HCM City, Viet Nam
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