The cover of Tranh Tường Khmer Nam Bộ (Ethnic Khmer Murals in Southern Việt Nam), a book by cultural researcher Huỳnh Thanh Bình of HCM City.  Photo courtesy of the publisher

HCM CITY  A book featuring the art of ethnic Khmer murals in southern Việt Nam by cultural researcher Huỳnh Thanh Bình has been released by the HCM City-based Văn Hoá-Văn Nghệ (Culture-Arts) Publishing House. 

The 180-page work, Tranh Tường Khmer Nam Bộ (Ethnic Khmer murals in southern Việt Nam), features the art of paintings on walls and ceilings by the Khmer ethnic minority in the provinces of An Giang, Kiên Giang, Sóc Trăng, Trà Vinh, and Bạc Liêu.

The culture and lifestyle of the Khmer are also highlighted. 

The book includes many photos featuring paintings on walls in local Khmer pagodas.  

Khmer murals are featured in the book Tranh Tường Khmer Nam Bộ (Ethnic Khmer Murals in Southern Việt Nam) by female cultural researcher Huỳnh Thanh Bình. Photo courtesy of the publisher

Writer Bình spent more than 10 years to research, collect, write and capture photos to perfect her book. She visited more than 300 pagodas in the Mekong Delta region to learn about paintings on walls and ceilings. She also met and talked with local religious dignitaries, elderly and artisans. 

“I love learning about Buddhist art. I love the paintings on walls in Khmer pagodas. They are very unique, lively and persuasive, representing a southern lifestyle,” said Bình, one of the country’s very few female culture researchers in the art. 

“Khmer murals should be preserved and expanded to the world.”

“Through my book, I hope to introduce a taste of ethnic Khmer murals to readers, including Khmer youth who should improve their knowledge about their traditional culture and arts,” said the 35-year-old. 

The book Tranh Tường Khmer Nam Bộ (Ethnic Khmer Murals in Southern Việt Nam), written by cultural researcher Huỳnh Thanh Bình of HCM City, features the art of Khmer murals in pagodas in southern provinces. Photo courtesy of the publisher

Tranh Tường Khmer Nam Bộ is among several books on the southern people and their culture by Bình since her first book, Tranh Kiếng Nam Bộ (Glass Painting by Southern People), was released in 2013. 

Glass paintings are used to decorate houses to celebrate traditional festivals.

A glass painting can be stored for 20 years without losing its vibrancy. Artisans have their own secrets to mixing paints to keep the colour. VNS