Although fragile and flexible, the dzo paper (made from mulberry bark) is also long lasting and durable. Used by ethnic minorities for altar paintings, for honourable certificates and for inscribing buddhist sutras, this kind of paper seems ideal for Vu Thu Hien's paintings.
When I paint on this kind of paper, I can feel the spirit of calmness and thoughtfulness of my ancestors. Patience is also needed when working on dzo paper, and this helps me to develop new pictures slowly because when one color is dry, a new color can be applied to it with strange effects. Occasionally, the resulting story is similar but a little different from my original thinking, she says.
The people on Hien's paintings are swathed in traditional clothing and they are reflective, lyrical and spiritual at the same time.
Vu Thu Hien was born near Hanoi and is a graduate of the Vietnam Fine Arts University. She has presented her work in many exhibitions and next year (2009) will participate in an exhibition traveling between museums in the United States. |
