Lacquerware from the perspective of young Vietnamese artists.

Travel inspiration from the perspective of a young artist.

With the theme of "Journeys and Travels" – creative inspiration from journeys and experiences – the two female artists present paintings that are completely different, even somewhat contrasting. For Camelia Pham, the inspiration comes from a state of freedom in her mind, when she sets foot on endless green meadows, where majestic mountain ranges stretch as far as the eye can see. The comfortable and pleasant feeling of stepping barefoot on the lush green grass of the prairie is something she has always dreamed of.

In that vast natural landscape, there are clouds drifting lazily across the high sky, cool water trickling through small streams, white birds moving rhythmically, and an abundance of colors from the plants and trees. In contrast to the grandeur and expansiveness of Tam Phuong (a product line with illustrations by Camelia Pham), there is the vibrancy and hustle of the city, the lively sounds of the neighborhood and the bustling urban life in the illustrations by Lys Bui (a product line called Thong Dong).

A new vision for traditional craft values.

The two female artists shared that this collaboration with Hanoia also marked their first encounter with lacquer as a medium. Thanks to working with Hanoia's production team, Camelia Pham gained a deeper understanding of lacquer, which helped shape the idea for her painting, "Tam Phuong." Using the window frame as a backdrop, she wanted to convey the feeling of adventure when exploring and immersing oneself in nature. From this, she depicted horses galloping across a vast green meadow, with distant mountains surrounding a small path leading to a fresh flower – a richly symbolic message from the artist: on each journey, after each trip, what we receive is not just fleeting emotions, but also valuable insights that always blossom and bear fruit.

With its glossy lacquer finish and vibrant, energetic red hues, Camelia Pham had a truly delightful experience. The careful selection of bright colors not only highlighted small details like the hands and eyes, but also created a captivating visual impression, allowing viewers to easily immerse themselves in the painting and empathize with it.

In a different, more familiar approach, within the streetscape featuring two versions, Hanoi and Saigon, Lys Bui also creatively adds a new detail based on each vase and box design from Hanoia. Nestled amidst the bustling narrow alleys, the characteristic lamppost motifs of the city serve as a novel connecting point between the shapes, creating a vibrant movement around the painting, Thong Dong.

However, the challenge for the young artist lay in the fact that she had never worked directly with lacquer techniques. Therefore, when embarking on designing for this intricate and complex medium, the female artist had to research and devise a suitable method to highlight the distinctive architecture of the city through the most minimalist details. Whether it's the gently gliding traffic or the cool cups of coffee on small plastic chairs, everything is cleverly arranged and designed to preserve the tranquil atmosphere of the old town.

Harmonizing classic elements with contemporary life.

Each product line embodies the boundless creativity evident in every brushstroke of the two female artists. However, to truly highlight these vibrant paintings, one must certainly mention the masterful application of handcrafted techniques by Hanoia's team of artisans.

In each collection, the lacquer artist consistently leaves her mark with a series of innovative experiments on her subjects. In Thong Dong, Hanoia refreshes the cityscape by applying striking color effects, giving the product line an eye-catching appearance. Based on the yellow and pink tones that Lys Bui chose to depict the ancient lime-washed walls of the city, the rows of old houses are bathed in the dreamy transformation of sunlight, evoking emotions not only in the artist Lys Bui herself but also in anyone who gazes upon this familiar painting.

In particular, the illustrations on these two product lines are meticulously hand-painted and engraved into the colors by Hanoia, preserving the brand's distinctive features while highlighting the masterful artistry of the two artists within the living space. This is a painstaking, repetitive process that any artisan must go through, requiring diligence and meticulousness to deliver a smooth, glossy lacquer finish to the user.

A harmonious blend between two generations.

Working with Hanoia, young artists have connected with traditional values ​​while also accessing a sophisticated art form that embodies the essence of Vietnamese craftsmanship. Lys Bui and Camelia Pham, with their passion for lacquerware, have showcased their unique personalities, bringing diversity by spreading the beauty of this traditional material to a wider range of customers.

For Hanoia, the brand also had the opportunity to experiment and reinvent itself by getting closer to young talents, thereby bringing a contemporary and timeless beauty to lacquerware. With harmonious collaboration in the application of lacquer and typical handcrafted techniques, Hanoia, together with Lys Bui and Camelia Pham, transformed the paintings "Tam Phuong" and "Thong Dong" into a fresh highlight for a journey filled with the spirit of freedom called "Chu Du".

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Phuong Mai