Unique incense paintings aim at cultural values

Duc Hoc Agarwood Gallery with unique works made from Agarwood. Photo: ML

Arousing national pride

Nguyen Ngoc Duc’s chance to come to agarwood paintings originated from his burning passion for this precious wood. He shared that this passion had been nurtured for a long time, but was only truly ignited strongly when he started his business more than a year ago.

Initially, he focused on popular art products such as jewelry and incense sticks made from agarwood. However, during a visit to an art exhibition abroad, he was deeply impressed by the works of art made from agarwood. He realized that agarwood is not only a rare wood, but can also become a material for unique works of art, imbued with cultural and spiritual values. From there, the idea of ​​an agarwood painting workshop began to take shape.

Portraits of leaders and historical figures are vividly crafted by artisans. Photo: LH

“When mentioning Quang Nam , people will think of many unique and valuable products such as Ngoc Linh ginseng, agarwood, etc. Vietnam has many artisans with artistic talent, but agarwood paintings have not appeared yet. Based on those resources and human resources, I want to create unique and valuable works of art from the products I am selling,” Duc said.

Starting a new art form, Nguyen Ngoc Duc encountered many difficulties. He had to explore, research and study the production techniques himself, and at the same time look for sources of raw materials that guaranteed quality.

“For someone taking the first steps, it will always be very difficult” - Ngoc Duc confided. But with passion and determination to pursue to the end, he gradually overcame the initial challenges, creating the first agarwood paintings with a strong personal mark.

Ngoc Duc and his portrait of President Ho Chi Minh . Photo: ML

In early 2023, the first agarwood paintings were born. With 100% agarwood shell material, using high-quality glue imported from Germany that does not affect the agarwood scent, German paintings are guaranteed to last forever.

The special thing about Nguyen Ngoc Duc’s agarwood paintings is not only the unique material, but also the “soul” and “spirit” breathed into each work. Each painting has its own story, its own message, expressed through each delicate and meticulous line, from the eyes, the spirit to the overall composition.

Vivid paintings with the talented hands of artisans from Duc painting workshop learning agarwood. Photo: LH

Ngoc Duc shared that the artistic value of agarwood paintings lies not only in the skillful cutting and pasting of agarwood grains and the appropriate agarwood color tones to create realistic and vivid paintings, but also in the meaning and message that the author wants to convey.

In addition to the themes requested by customers, Duc Hoc Tram's paintings mainly depict portraits of leaders, heroes, historical battles, and national traditions. Duc Hoc Tram desires to convey cultural and historical values, and arouse national pride in young people through Tram paintings.

VIDEO - Nguyen Ngoc Duc shares his story of starting a business with agarwood paintings.

To create portraits of President Ho Chi Minh, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Vo Nguyen Giap, etc., it takes 10 days to half a month to complete, while paintings about life take less time. Therefore, the price of works about life ranges from 3 to 10 million VND/painting, while the price of a painting about a leader ranges from 17 to 20 million VND/painting.

After more than 1 year of starting a business with agarwood paintings, Mr. Duc has sold nearly 100 works mainly through the Tiktok channel. But in the beginning, he could not reach a potential customer base, so Duc Hoc Tram painting workshop still used the capital from selling agarwood bracelets and incense sticks to nurture his passion for creating paintings, trying to convey the message of agarwood paintings to the community.

Mr. Chau Tung Duong (middle) is creating agarwood artwork at a job fair for people with disabilities. Photo: ML

Giving opportunities to the disabled

Not only creating art, Nguyen Ngoc Duc also focuses on difficult circumstances, especially people with disabilities. He hopes to build his painting studio into a favorable working environment, helping them have the opportunity to develop their talents, integrate into the community and become more confident in life.

At Duc Hoc Tram painting workshop, Mr. Do The Hai (Tam Xuan 1 commune, Nui Thanh district) has only been approaching this new genre for more than 10 days and is experimenting with collage. The starting point is graphics and 3D modeling. Although he is still clumsy, sometimes making mistakes and having to cut and paste again from the beginning, he is still full of enthusiasm and focused on completing his first work.

Ngoc Duc monitors and encourages newcomers to the profession. Photo: ML

Besides Hai, young man Nguyen Van Tri (born 2006, Tam Loc commune, Phu Ninh) just graduated from high school and has a stable job, salary 6 - 7 million VND/month at Mr. Duc's painting workshop.

Tri expressed: “I love art and have been self-taught in painting since middle school. But conditions did not allow me to continue studying. Luckily, I met Mr. Duc who created a job that suited my passion, with a higher income than my previous service job. I am about to join the military, so I hope to continue my passion for painting here when I return.”

VIDEO - Ngoc Duc shares about his development orientation of agarwood paintings

The young hands at Duc Hoc Tram painting workshop are all enthusiastically instructed by teacher Chau Tung Duong (Tam Dan commune, Phu Ninh district) - who has accompanied Ngoc Duc since the very first days. For Mr. Duong, coming to Duc Hoc Tram was a fate when he was struggling to find a job. As for Mr. Duc, after spending more than a week together, he discovered that Mr. Duong is disabled. "But he is talented, meticulous and very hard-working. So I want to create job opportunities for people with disabilities who are capable, because I think they will try much harder" - Mr. Duc shared.

Nguyen Ngoc Duc and Chau Tung Duong discuss their new work. Photo: ML

Mr. Duong confided: “At first, making agarwood paintings was very awkward! I also used to tear and paste, but using paper or leaves is softer and has more colors. Separating agarwood bark for a long time will hurt your hands, the color of the bark is also less rich, it is very difficult to arrange the light and dark color blocks harmoniously, describe the volume and the prominence. But after a long time, I got used to it, imagine it as a LED screen with colored dots, I separate the agarwood bark, choose agarwood fibers to paste on the carved picture. Up to now, I have tried to breathe life into agarwood paintings, and also guide new friends on how to make them beautiful, productive, and effective.”

To create a work, the artist must pay attention to every small detail. Photo: TH

Since then, Mr. Duc has also paid more attention to people with disabilities who have a passion for painting, giving them opportunities to show their talents and earn extra income to take care of themselves and their families.

In the future, the young man who started his business from agarwood intends to guide the workers at his painting workshop to create and sell agarwood artworks themselves. And more meaningfully, social values ​​will be spread, and difficult circumstances will be helped by Duc's agarwood paintings.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/doc-dao-tranh-tram-huong-den-gia-tri-van-hoa-lich-su-3148279.html