Artists mourn "makeup wizard" Trinh Xuan Chinh

Nghệ sĩ thương tiếc người thầy — Meritorious Artist Trinh Xuan Chinh does makeup for Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc and Artist Hong Anh in the movie "Tam Cam"

Meritorious Artist Trinh Xuan Chinh was called a "makeup wizard" by the art world. The news of his death at 5:30 p.m. on September 6, at the age of 83, left many artists and theater and film professionals in mourning. Among them were many students who had been mentored and passed on their skills to him.

Trinh Xuan Chinh: a gentle and talented teacher

He is a master in his profession and a person who inspires, sows faith and seriousness in many generations of artists. From classes to unforgettable memories, the artists have shared. Actress Phi Nga (IDECAF Drama Theater) emotionally recounted that from the acting course to the stage directing course, she studied with teacher Trinh Xuan Chinh.

Phi Nga still remembers one time after class, the teacher asked with a gentle smile: "Can't you put on makeup well?". The question was both reproachful and encouraging, making both of them laugh. Not only did he teach her the profession, he also enthusiastically reminded her how to take care of her skin after putting on makeup: "You should try to keep your skin beautiful. After removing your makeup at night, apply aloe vera leaves for 15 minutes, and wash it off so it doesn't wrinkle."

For the actress, those simple words of advice have now suddenly become priceless spiritual keepsakes. "Sitting down and remembering, I cried so hard... I don't know if you still remember me, but I'm always grateful and think of you" - actress Phi Nga shared.

Trinh Xuan Chinh "sows the seeds" for golden hands

Among his students, artisan Ho Khanh - who was awarded the title "Golden Hand" in 2014, is the clearest proof of his teacher's persistent teaching.

It was Meritorious Artist Trinh Xuan Chinh who guided Ho Khanh into the path of professional makeup art, from the first drawings to creative thinking.

He also wrote textbooks for teaching makeup, organized exhibitions of statues and photos, and transformed the profession from a craft into an academic field.

Following his teacher, Ho Khanh has now become a trainer of many classes of makeup artists for stage, cinema and television. "I still remember the unforgettable memories with him, that is HTV organized the program "Artists and the stage", he and I had the opportunity to talk to the audience and he placed his trust in our young generation, to follow him, to bring glory to the Vietnamese makeup industry" - Artist Ho Khanh cried and recalled.

Trinh Xuan Chinh with his lifetime transformations

Movie actor Tuan Phuong will always remember the time when teacher Trinh Xuan Chinh directly transformed him into Buddha Shakyamuni in the movie "The Path to Enlightenment".

Her pure face and majestic demeanor thanks to makeup have made her role a memorable one for audiences at home and abroad.

Later, during a Buddha Amitabha ceremony at Bodhi Lan Nha pagoda, actor Tuan Phuong once again took on the image of Buddha thanks to the talented hands of his teacher.

Talking about the art of Buddha makeup, Meritorious Artist Trinh Xuan Chinh once confided that he was most impressed with the faces and performance styles of the three artists who played the role of Buddha Shakyamuni: Cong Hau in the movie "Golden Light", Tuan Phuong in "The Path to Enlightenment" and People's Artist Trong Phuc in the opera "Buddha's Life".

Not only religion and history, he also created unique incarnations in movies. To recall, the audience still remembers Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc in the role of Cam or Ngo Thanh Van in the role of Tam in the movie "Tam Cam". Every line and nuance of the character was molded by him with deep artistic perception.

Trinh Xuan Chinh and makeup is "beautifying the character"

Meritorious Artist Ca Le Hong - former principal of the School of Stage Arts II (now the University of Theatre and Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City) said that he once witnessed Trinh Xuan Chinh recreating historical images: Tran Hung Dao, Churchill, Newton, Luong The Vinh, Nguyen Du, Shakespeare... to serve research filming.

For him, makeup is not simply about painting the face to look beautiful, but "beautifying the character by portraying the soul and personality - including ugly wrinkles and scars".

His passion is also expressed in his concern: "Materials for creating shapes are an important factor, but in Vietnam up to now there is still no professional makeup workshop. Without materials, how can the country's theater and cinema progress?"

Trinh Xuan Chinh, the teacher who left a legacy

The funeral of Meritorious Artist Trinh Xuan Chinh was held in Ho Chi Minh City. Many artists and students came to say goodbye. They were all choked up remembering a life devoted to art.

He left his colleagues with admiration, his students as a career foundation, and a great legacy for theater and cinema.

Many artists have expressed their wish that he be posthumously awarded the title of People's Teacher, because more than anyone else, he is a rare dedicated teacher - the one who turned the behind-the-scenes makeup profession into a true art form.

Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association and its member artists came to burn incense and bid farewell to Meritorious Artist Trinh Xuan Chinh.

"The teacher is a living testament to the talent, personality and passion for the art of makeup in Vietnamese theater and cinema" - People's Artist Tran Minh Ngoc said.

Below are some pictures of Meritorious Artist Trinh Xuan Chinh doing makeup for artists when they play characters on stage and screen: