(VOVworld) – Inspired by the traditional technique of making dzo paper, Phan Hai Bang, a painter and lecturer at the Hue University of Art created Truc Chi, a kind of paper made from bamboo. After years of experiments, Truc Chi is now recognized as a new material for art. VOV’s Phuong Thuy reports.

Painter Phan Hai Bang (Photo: doanhnhansaigon.vn)

Painter Phan Hai Bang began researching the bamboo paper in 2000. He started pilot production of Truc Chi in 2010. A number of artworks have been created with this material. Bang says artists can use Truc Chi paper in different ways based on printmaking principles to create graphic art works: “Truc Chi art goes beyond the concept of paper. To traditional papermaking methods we add additional values to create Truc Chi art”.

Bang and his colleagues want to combine bamboo paper with other techniques - printing, and painting with traditional handicrafts like embroidery, weaving, and conical hat making. In 2012, a Truc Chi exhibition opened in Hue. Since then, the bamboo paper has been widely introduced in exhibitions at home and abroad, for example, “Dreams behind the village with Truc Chi art” in 2013, and “Unlimited graphics”, and “Vietnam-Belgium Printed Painting in Dialogue” in 2014. Dr. Nguyen Nghia Phuong of the Vietnam Fine Arts University, has worked with Phan Hai Bang from the first days of the Truc Chi project:  “Phan Hai Bang is someone who always wants to do something special. At first, Truc Chi was made for art purposes only. Then, other purposes appeared. The XQ embroidery company ordered some materials since then. Truc Chi has been used to create products such as purses, fans, CD covers, and umbrellas”.

Phan Hai Bang has encouraged his students to seek other new kinds of materials. Nguyen Phuoc Nhat, Bang’s associate, says Bang plays an important role in directing, and creating new values for Truc Chi: “Phan Hai Bang is the person who invented Truc Chi and worked out a plan to develop it. Although I study graphics, I still encountered a lot of difficulty when I first worked with Truc Chi. Hai Bang taught me graphic painting. Thanks to his help, I had my first artwork exhibited”.  

Fans and conical hats made from Truc Chi.

Thousands of artworks have been created using Truc Chi. Phan Hai Bang and his colleagues have integrated Truc Chi art with traditional handicrafts to create revolutionary new art products.