Pham Chinh Trung

Born in 1955 in Hanoi, Pham Chinh Trung has almost 50 years of hands-on experience with Lacquer Painting.

In 1974, Trung enrolled at the Ha Noi Industrial Arts University. There, he was fortunate to study under two great artists of traditional painting: painter Nguyen Kim Dong, who was a graduate of the Indochina Fine Arts University and painter Duc Cuong, who was the only one that wrote a book on lacquer painting techniques in Vietnam. It was these two dedicated teachers who instilled in him a strong belief in the art form that is inherently selective: lacquer painting.

Trung draws inspiration from the beauty of nature as well as that of human figures, which he often transforms into his works with modern realism style. When Trung arranges the models with beautiful poses for his Fundamental classes that he teaches, he would sketch the outlines and then express them artistically on lacquer. The same goes for the landscapes that keep him in awe during his adventure to hidden places of Vietnam. On top of paying attention to layering the paints, the materials and the forms in order to achieve the kind of depth only lacquer can deliver, he also places much importance on the colours, composition as well as the rhythm to achieve the ultimate harmony. His works are present in many arts connoisseurs’ collections world-wide.

Aside from being a member of Vietnam Fine Arts Associations and Hanoi Fine Arts Association, he has been teaching generations of students in Traditional Lacquer and Drawing Fundamentals.

When Trung does not compose or draw, he takes pleasure in taking photos, capturing the daily lives and beauties of those around him.

 

TEACHING CAREER 

  • 1996 - 2015: Professor of Traditional Lacquer Arts, at University of Industrial Arts, Traditional Lacquer Department
  • 1993 - Present: Professor of Drawing Fundamentals at Hanoi Open University, Industrial Design Department

 

EXHIBITIONS 

  • 1985, 1995: National Exhibitions of Fine Arts held in Ha Noi
  • 1997: Traditional Crafts Festival in Germany
  • 1999: Traditional Crafts Exhibition in China
  • 2003: ASEAN Cultural Exchange by Ministry of Culture and Information in Thailand
  • 2004: ASEAN Cultural Exchange by Ministry of Culture and Information in Myanmar
  • 2004: ASEAN Cultural Exchange: Traditional Vietnamese Craft Then and Now (Giao Lưu Nhân Dân ASEAN: Nghề Truyền Thống Việt Nam Xưa Và Nay) by Ministry of Culture and Information held in Ha Noi
  • 1993, 1995, 2003, 2008: Solo Lacquer Painting Exhibitions held in Ha Noi
  • 2011, 2013: Group Lacquer Painting Exhibition, held in Ho Chi Minh
  • 2012: Group Lacquer Painting Exhibition, Homeland's Borders and Seas (Biên Giới, Biển Đảo Quê Hương), held in Ha Noi
  • 2013: Group Lacquer Painting Exhibition, Our Lacquer (Sơn Ta) by Vietnam Arts Museum held in Ha Noi
  • 2009 - 2014: 3rd National Applied Arts Exhibition by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held in Ha Noi
  • 2016: 5th Art Photo Exhibition, Impression of Ha Noi (Ấn Tượng Hà Nội) held in Ha Noi
  • 2018: Group Lacquer Painting Exhibition, The Arts of Lacquer (Hội Hoạ Sơn Mài) held in Ha Noi
  • 2018: Art Photo Exhibition, Colours Of Ha Noi (Sắc Màu Hà Nội) by Hanoi Art Photography Association held in Ha Noi
  • 2021: Group Lacquer Painting Exhibition by Vietnam Fine Arts Association held in Ha Noi
  • 2022: Art Photo Exhibition, Come Back (Trở Lại) by Hanoi Art Photography Association held in Ha Noi

 

MEDIA COVERAGE 

  • 2002: Vietnam Review Magazine, Lacquer Paintings by Pham Chinh Trung
  • 2009: Interview with Culture & Arts Magazine, A Conversation With A “Luxury Artisan” (Gặp Người Làm “Nghề Xa Xỉ”)
  • 2014: 247 Magazine, Vietnamese Lacquer Art Through Prominent Painters (Nền Nghệ Thuật Sơn Mài Việt Nam Qua Những Họa Sĩ Tiêu Biểu)
  • 2016: Vietnam Television VTV10 Documentary, Heritage Perspective (Góc Nhìn Di Sản)
  • 2018: Vietnam Television VTV5 Documentary, Crafts Story: The Enduring Lacquer (Chuyện Nghề: Còn Đó Sơn Ta)
  • 2018: toquoc.vn , Artist Pham Chinh Trung: I Search The “Quiet Note” In Arts (Hoạ sĩ Phạm Chính Trung: Tôi Cần "Chất Trầm" Của Nghệ Thuật)
  • 2019: Vietnam Television VTV1 Documentary, Path to the Origins: Lacquer Paintings - The Mark Of Traditional Arts (Nẻo về nguồn cội: Tranh Sơn Mài - Dấu ấn hội họa truyền thống)
  • 2020: Vietnam Television VTV1 Documentary, Lacquer - A Traditional Story (Sơn mài - câu chuyện truyền thống)
  • 2021: Business Insider, "Why Sơn Mài Painting Is So Expensive?" (Vì Sao Sơn Mài Lại Đắt Vậy?)

 

EDUCATION

1978: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Specialised in Lacquer, Ha Noi Industrial Arts University