Dong Son Drum Triptych
The ancient Dong Son drums of Vietnam depicted scenes of daily life and war, animals, birds and boats. They were used as musical instruments as well as cult items and were cast out of bronze between 600 BC – 300 AD. They symbolized wealth and prosperity and were treasured items in local villages. Using landmarks, everyday patterns and other influences from living and traveling in Vietnam I have designed my own personal drum faces to represent each region of the country.
Limited edition signed and numbered archival prints printed on acid free Canson conservational paper using imported archival inks.
Framed as displayed - 3,500,000 VND / 135 USD each or 9,500,000 VND / 360 USD for the set of 3
Unframed - 2,800,000 VND / 110 USD each or 7,500,000 VND / 285 USD for the set of 3
North Vietnam Dong Son Drum
This design was the original inspiration behind the entire triptych project. The idea was born in October 2020 after a motorbike trip around the Ha Giang loop in Northern Vietnam. I had previously illustrated a Dong Son Drum design way back in 2013 and thought it was time for an update. Instead of one drum face I would design three to look into and discover the history and culture behind each region of Vietnam.
In the outside ring, there’s a chronological narrative that follows the timeline of the region. Visual snapshots of famous locations, tales and folklore are illustrated to grab the viewer’s attention and are recognized by those with a historical knowledge of Vietnam.
As you move towards the inner circle, past painted tile patterns into the next layer you can see famous landscapes of Northern Vietnam. Sapa, Halong Bay, Ma Pi Leng, Ha Giang and Lũng Cú flag tower provide a perfect green backdrop. The iconic forms of transport move anti-clockwise round the circular design to provide a feeling of movement and break up the circle before heading inwards past figures and scenes to iconic landmarks and places I visited whilst travelling across the region.
Central Vietnam Dong Son Drum
The second in the three-part project and the largest land mass to discover. From the north central coast to the central highlands and the south central coast there was a huge amount of history to learn about. I decided to focus down and to look at the Cham culture in particular and the different artistic styles to influence the region.
In the outside ring, in a similar fashion to the North Vietnam drum there’s a chronological, visual narrative to follow. Relief carvings that represent the early My Son era that lead into images of domestic development and Dong Duong style, caricature sculptures. In the bottom half of the outer ring the styles develop further into the later My Son era, with Thap Mam style elephants and makaras and finally more recent images of modern day.
Towards the inner circles notable landscapes and sites make up the geometric shapes with a different selection of iconic transport to match up with other parts of the triptych.
South Vietnam Dong Son Drum
The third in the triptych series this drum design is inspired by South Vietnam, mainly around the Mekong Delta, HCMC and surrounding cities. As the first two designs the outer ring is a chronological narrative that visually explores the myths and legends around the formation of this part of the world. If you look closely into the jungle, you will make out images such as the tale of Huntian’s bow. As you move around the circle you will witness the Vietnamese march south, followed by a solidified settlement in the Saigon area and finally the Independence palace to symbolise modern day. As you move inwards popular destinations such as Tay Ninh, Mui Ne, floating markets of the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc beaches and La Gi form a circle around past and current forms of transport associated particularly with South Vietnam. Moving further inward, a mixture of religious influences and icon landmarks make up an ever-evolving modern day metropolis.
