Bùi Hữu Hùng
Bùi Hữu Hưng is a celebrated lacquer artist born in 1957 in Hà Nội, Vietnam. Known as a master of this ancient and challenging medium, he has revitalized traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting, with his own distinctive and original approach.
Bùi Hữu Hùng’s fascination with lacquer began at the age of 18, setting him on a lifelong journey to master and preserve this age-old art form. In his youth, he travelled to small villages across Vietnam to deepen his understanding of traditional techniques, allowing him to fully honour the craft’s rich heritage.
Following a period of combat duty in 1978, he furthered his artistic education at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he honed his skills and deepened his understanding of lacquer painting.
Since his debut international solo exhibition in the 1990s, Bùi Hữu Hùng has established himself as a prominent figure in the Vietnamese art world. His works have been showcased in solo and group exhibitions across Asia, Europe, and the United States, earning him international acclaim. In addition to his artistic endeavours, Bùi Hữu Hùng has authored seven books on Vietnamese art and nostalgia, cementing his role as a custodian of cultural heritage.
Bùi Hữu Hùng’s paintings are grand in setting yet intimate in likeness. His central theme often features regal women adorned in richly decorated, colourful gowns, their expressions ranging from confidence to languor. These figures exist in an illusory space, unanchored by earth or sky, evoking a dreamlike quality.
Ornamental designs fill the backgrounds, with Hùng’s choice of colours and patterns heightening contrast and adding depth. The incorporation of rich gold leaf creates luminous nuances of light that shine through the lacquer, imbuing the works with a mystical grace.
Through his art, Bùi Hữu Hưng builds bridges connecting traditional techniques with our modern life, ensuring the enduring legacy of Vietnamese lacquer painting and crafting a timeless visual language of his own.