Timeless Silk: Where Art Intertwines with Cultural Heritage

On the morning of May 31, 2025, the Faculty of Arts & Design at Van Lang University hosted the closing session of the “Timeless Silk” workshop, wrapping up three heartfelt and in-depth days of exploring the art of silk painting under the guidance of Meritorious Teacher and Artist Le Thi Kim Bach.

This workshop offered a special opportunity for the faculty’s lecturers to directly learn silk painting techniques from Artist Kim Bach, a revered figure in Vietnamese silk painting. With decades of creative teaching experiences, and a heart full of passion and dedication to her career, she carefully shared every stage of the process: stretching silk, sketch transferring, draft refining, material perception, and composition, all fundamental elements that create the poetic essence of silk painting.

Throughout the sessions, Artist Kim Bạch didn’t just teach the techniques, she gave detailed feedback on each lecturer’s work, creating a warm and family-like atmosphere full of understanding and deep appreciation for the arts. Every completed painting was a reflection of patience and artistic devotion.

During the closing session, Artist Kim Bach shared with emotion: “I feel truly happy to have the chance to pass on these precious experiences to the next generation. There is nothing more meaningful than being able to sit and paint, listen, and share knowledge with young people who will carry on the future of art. Some say getting old means getting tired, but for me, being able to go out, talk, and spread my passion is what truly makes me feel alive.”

Lecturer Man Thi Hong Thien also shared her thoughts: “Silk painting requires absolute patience and precision, as silk doesn’t absorb color as quickly as paper, every line must be handled with care and intention. That’s why all of us poured our hearts into each piece, many of us stayed in the studio until 9 p.m. after class, diligently finishing our art in time for the final showcase. Through this workshop, I’ve gained deeper empathy for our students during feedback sessions. It’s helped me improve the way I critique student's work during class in the future.”

More than just a professional training activity, “Timeless Silk” was a heartfelt tribute to silk painting, a material full of Vietnamese cultural identity. It reignites the flame of artistic passion, contributing to the preservation and promotion of national artistic heritage in today’s modern context. This is also the spirit of education that the Faculty of Arts & Design at Van Lang University has proudly upheld for over 20 years.

News: Trung Truc