Fan Dancer

Mixed Media/Fiber - Size: 22”W x 18” L 
Part of the Vietnamese culture is to honor the past. In visiting the ancient ruins, a dance group performed for us. Although the music was the unfamiliar sounds of Asian music, the dancing was mesmerizing. The costumes were authentic and beautiful.  Sold
Fan Dancer
Vietnam Series

Water Buffalo

Mixed Media/Fiber    36" x 48" L
Water buffalos are treated with almost as much reverence as the cows in Hindu India. They are the work animals that pull the plows and do the hard labor. There are no tractors to be seen, just the work of the farmer and his beast. If your daughter is getting married providing a water buffalo as dowry makes the girl especially desirable. I had a chance to ride this magnificent animal. The farmer was happy to provide the opportunity after a small tip from our guide.     $1,800
 
Water Buffalo
Vietnam Series

Golden Buddha

Mixed Media/Fiber     36“ W x 48" L
Outside of Dalat is the fabulous Linh Phuoc Pagoda full of gigantic mosaic dragons and hundreds of golden Buddhas. You can walk under the legs of the dragon and follow its tail along a long passageway. Despite the opulence it is a surprisingly spiritual place where many people came to pray. There were rows of these Buddhas all shimmering in gold. But the large 20 foot one was the highlight. Worshippers bowed and prayed in front of this wonderful Golden Buddha.  $1.800
 
Golden Buddha
Vietnam Series

Propaganda II

Mixed Media/Fiber   24“ W x 20" L I have always thought government propaganda was a negative thing, just think “fake news”.  Vietnam has an earned reputation for broadcasting propaganda over loudspeakers. It is still a place where you do not speak in public dishing the communist party. But the good part of propaganda is the promotion of literacy and education through these colorful posters found on every school. $400  
Propaganda II
Vietnam Series

Propaganda I

Mixed Media/Fiber     24" W x 20 " L I have always thought government propagandas a negative thing, just think “fake news”. Vietnam has an earned reputation for broadcasting propaganda over loudspeakers. It is still a place you do not speak in public dishing the communist party. But the good part of propaganda is the promotion for literacy and education through these colorful posters found on every school.  $400    
Propaganda I
Vietnam Series

Black Hmong Woman

   Mixed Media/Fiber     18" W x 22" L
When climbing ancient hills in the rain, I met these wonderful ethnic women. They are from the Black Hmong people, one of over 50 different groups of ethnic people that are part of Vietnam. The women spoke a bit of English and described their life as weavers of flax and dyers of cloth. The indigo dye they use is very dark blue and that is why they are described as black Hmong. They were both mothers and grandmothers raising a family in a remote village. They augment their husbands farming income with their wonderful cloth.    $400
 
Black Hmong Woman
Vietnam Series

Rice Paddy

  Mixed Media/Fiber       22" W x 18" L My First over whelming impression of Vietnam was of emerald green. The beauty of bright green fields of rice with a mountain back drop is mesmerizing. In the Mai Chau Valley of Northern Vietnam centuries of workers have grown rice. They green is surrounded by channels of water and houses often raised on stilts. Imagine an ocean, but make it green instead of blue.   Sold  
Rice Paddy
Vietnam Series

Rice Farmers

  Mixed Media/Fiber      36" W x 48" L
Vietnam is the 2nd exporter of rice in the world, the “breadbasket“ of Asia. Image bending over ten hours a day planting a group of 3-4 rice plants into a field of water and fertile soil. Yet when you see a stranger you stand up and smile. My over whelming impression was of cheerfulness while doing mind numbing labor. Most of the farmers are women who protect themselves from the sun with the traditional cone shaped hat. They wear rubber boots so they can stand comfortably in the water. At break time they will sit on the side of the dirt road and laugh and sing.     Sold
 
Rice Farmers
Vietnam Series

Fisherman

  Mixed Media/Fiber      36" W x 48" L
Vietnam is a land of water and mountains. Along the many rivers you will find fisherman in small boats casting their nets. This man was fishing for mussels. He and his partner worked in harmony throwing their nets into the green water waiting to see if they were successful. If the throw brought no reward, they would pull in the net and throw it again. They worked hard in a beautiful and tranquil place. Their catch provided much needed protein to the diet primarily made up of rice.   $1,800
   
Fisherman
Vietnam Series

The Market

 Mixed Media/Fiber     36" W x 48" L
When I travel to other countries I like to shop, but I buy little and observe the culture a lot. This brother and sister are opening mussels preparing them for sale in a small local market. As I found everywhere in Vietnam these two were willing to stop and smile. The market is along the river so many of the stalls are selling fish. Despite the distinct aroma I enjoyed walking and seeing all the strange items available.    $1,800
 
The Market
Vietnam Series

Roses Galore

Mixed Media/Fiber      36" W x 48" L
The central highlands around Dalat are filled with green houses. Dalat is known as rose city. Roses are grown all year long and harvested primarily for flower markets in Saigon, but they are shipped all over Asia. If there is a shortage of roses grown in South America, you will find them in the U.S. around Valentine’s Day. The woman picking these long stem red beauties wears heavy rubber gloves to protect her hands.     $1,800
 
Roses Galore
Vietnam Series
Copyright © 2021 Jean Herman