Artist Dinh Huu Viet’s latest exhibition, Hoa Rắn (Blooming Snakes), reimagines the snake - a creature often steeped in natural and spiritual symbolism in Vietnamese culture - by giving it vibrant hues of pink, green, red, and gold, transforming it into an emblem of springtime optimism.

A fresh perspective on tradition

Currently on display at Artistay Art Space, Hoa Rắn represents a bold departure from traditional representations of snakes.

Dinh Huu Viet, who began studying under prominent lacquer artist Dinh Quan during his youth, graduated from the University of Industrial Fine Arts and has spent 20 years mastering lacquer art. His dedication culminates in this exhibition, which combines innovative materials with unconventional themes.

In Hoa Rắn, Viet experiments with lacquer painting on paper, a medium that allows him to explore a seamless flow of creativity. The snake, a revered symbol in Vietnamese culture often associated with mysticism and power, is reimagined as a gentle and optimistic figure, embodying the vitality of spring.

A celebration of colors and forms

The exhibition features 30 works where snakes take on vibrant forms - pink, green, red, and yellow - blossoming into flowers, moons, couples, and abstract motifs. These stylized snakes break free from their natural and cultural connotations, serving instead as vehicles for the artist's optimistic vision and the beauty of lacquer art.

When asked about the challenge of selling snake-themed paintings, given the traditional belief that snakes symbolize danger and misfortune, Viet emphasized his focus on passion rather than profit.

“I don’t paint to sell. If I approached art with a commercial mindset, I wouldn’t be able to create. Art must come from passion, love, and emotion, not from financial motives. A beautiful artwork will naturally attract buyers, but monetary value is not the driving factor. Passion is what sustains and motivates an artist,” Viet explained.

Innovation with lacquer on paper

Viet’s use of paper as a base for lacquer art marks a significant departure from traditional lacquer on wood (vóc), enabling an uninterrupted creative process.

“Paper allows me to explore more deeply with lacquer, providing continuous immersion without breaks. There were days when I worked from one morning until the next, something that lacquer on wood doesn’t permit,” Viet shared.

The layered colors in lacquer, revealed through meticulous sanding, create spatial depth while retaining the medium’s unique qualities. Paper, Viet noted, provides a new dimension for experimentation while preserving the essence of traditional lacquer techniques.