For many years, Mr. Tran Ngoc Van, 63 years old, a veteran living in Quy Nhon City, the south-central province of Binh Dinh, has devoted most of his time to painting Tuong masks on composite materials. His goal is to share the impressive stories behind each mask with those around him and with international friends.
Returning from the Cambodian battlefield, Mr. Trần Ngọc Vân took on various jobs and gradually found his passion in promoting cultural tourism. Although he wasn't trained in fine arts, he passionately researched and painted striking masks as gifts for international tourists. This inspired Đinh Thị Thu Duyên, a young local painter, to join him.
In Tuong, main characters, antagonists, and other distinct personalities are expressed through attitudes, gestures, and words. Therefore, Tuong masks or makeup, represented by colors and patterns, must reflect these traits.
It's no coincidence that Binh Dinh is famous for the art of Tuong. This land nurtured two renowned artists, Dao Duy Tu and Dao Tan, considered the "founding fathers" of Tuong. Thus, the passion for painting Tuong masks is a way to keep the artistic values of Tuong alive in the locality./.
