Gen Z artist persistently pursues lacquer painting
Duong Linh Dan is a young artist born in 1999 currently living in Hanoi. Graduated from the Faculty of Painting, majoring in Lacquer at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts with the highest score in the class. With the desire to share paintings in the most natural and intimate way, not only through traditional exhibition spaces but also through social networks and community projects - where the public can feel, connect and find their own image in them.
From a very young age, Linh Dan was passionate about drawing and coloring. Her mother was her first teacher, patiently teaching her to draw and distinguish between colors from the age of two. Thanks to her family's support, her artistic path gradually became clearer when she decided to study at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts. During her studies, Linh Dan was especially attracted by the beauty and unique techniques of lacquer - a material that requires the artist to be both patient and accepting of randomness. When the painting is polished, the layers of color are revealed in an unpredictable way, creating a great attraction that made her choose to major in lacquer.
Portrait of artist Linh Dan
Personal color in the world of painting
“Circumstances can make the road more difficult, but no one is disadvantaged if they know how to see differences as an advantage. Starting from a unique position, turn it into a unique perspective. There is no need to be strong all the time, just persevere and do not abandon yourself” - Linh Dan shared.
Visually, Linh Dan’s works often have strong color tones, creating a direct feeling. She observes many different artists and genres of painting to broaden her perspective, but does not attach herself to a specific school. For Linh Dan, the most important thing is to maintain her personal voice in her creations.
The inspiration for a work of art for her can come from many different factors, sometimes a fleeting emotion, sometimes a vague memory, or an image that leaves a strong impression. She does not confine herself to a template, but lets nature guide the creative process, believing that this will bring emotional depth to each work.
Each artistic material opens up a different emotional space for Linh Dan.
One of her most memorable lacquer works was done in her final years of university, inspired by the Mimosa tree - a wildflower that is often overlooked. Mimosa, with its mechanism of contracting when touched, carries the image of fragility but has a tenacious vitality, and was chosen by her as a metaphor for the image of women.
She does not seek to idealize stereotypical female beauty, but rather depicts an interesting contrast: both gentle and strong, both affectionate and with a wide range of emotions. Mimosa, in a certain perspective, is also a reflection of her own inner emotions. For Linh Dan, being deaf is not a big obstacle, but simply a different way of perceiving the world.
Linh Dan grinding paintings
Her memories of her student days are associated with the hot summers in her lacquer painting class. The sultry air, the strict technical requirements, combined with the heavy workload of research and composition made each day a challenge. When covering the paintings with gold and silver, turning on the fan was completely forbidden, causing her to sweat profusely under the scorching sun.
The days of posting papers for grading were a busy time from early morning, sometimes only enough time to quickly eat a sticky rice package or a sandwich at the beginning of the street. Occasionally, the field trips to the countryside brought her a different experience, hard but also very real and meaningful. Looking back, those were hot, messy but laughter-filled student years. There was no special secret, she simply focused her whole mind on each exercise, each stage of writing. Always trying to absorb the instructions of teachers and learn from friends, she maintained a steady and persistent work pace throughout her years of study and she achieved the highest score in the course. For her, stability does not come from luck, but from perseverance every day, every little thing.
The work "Smiling Flowers" - 2023 was performed by Linh Dan
A sincere dialogue between artist and audience
Each artistic medium opens up a different emotional space for Linh Dan. With lacquer and oil painting, each has its own beauty and challenges. Lacquer requires creativity not only in the use of color but also in the technique of grinding the painting, where randomness plays an important role, creating sparkling surfaces and special depth of color.
Oil painting gives Linh Dan more freedom in terms of technique and expression. In contrast, when doing illustrations, she focuses more on graphic elements, shapes, and how to clearly convey messages to viewers. With illustrations, control over images and ideas is always tighter, because each work is often associated with a specific audience and a clear communication purpose.
The work "Sphere" completed in 2022
In the artistic environment, she finds joy, creativity and inspiration like anyone else. Instead of focusing on what she lacks, she always strives to develop what she has. The image of a woman has been the central symbol in many of Linh Dan's works, to convey her emotions and personal thoughts. Currently, her creative process is more spontaneous, not bound to a fixed theme.
For Linh Dan, spreading art is also opening up sincere dialogues between artists and viewers. Linh Dan's biggest plan is to organize a solo exhibition before the age of 30. Besides, she also wants to experiment with new materials and expand her creativity. In the future, she hopes to have the opportunity to participate in public art projects, so that her works can reach closer to society.
