North Vietnam Đông Sơn Drum - B+W

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, other influences from living here and travelling up and down the country I have designed my own personal drum faces to represent each region of Vietnam.

North Vietnam

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.

Digital reproduction 42x42cm