The exhibition "Gom Thiep" introduces more than 200 paintings on ceramics inspired by people and literature by writer Nguyen Huy Thiep.
"Paper painting is a form of meditation"
The exhibition is divided into two parts: Chapter 1 displays pottery works by writer Nguyen Huy Thiep himself, kept by his family.
Chapter 2 are works by 41 contemporary artists, composed based on short stories, characters, or words with his mark.
41 artists - mostly close friends of the late writer such as Phan Cam Thuong, Le Thiet Cuong, Dang Xuan Hoa - together expressed their personal creations through the blue Bat Trang ceramic material, creating a space full of art, nostalgia and dialogue.
The head of the team Le Thiet Cuong said: "Gom Thiep is a story about religion and people, told through art. 41 artists not only illustrate literature, but also translate it into painting giving literature a new life in ceramics.
Nguyen Phan Bach - the eldest son of the late writer Nguyen Huy Thiep, said that his family chose his 75th birthday to organize an exhibition, as a way to remember and continue the dialogue between him and the public.
"After discussing with artist Le Thiet Cuong, we agreed to invite the artists to participate. Each person chose a quadrangle from my father's work that they loved and then displayed it on a ceramic plate in their own way.
That is what creates interestingness: 42 artists, 42 styles, sometimes the same sentence has different interpretations, Mr. Bach shared with Lao Dong.
He also shared his feelings when he came into contact with the ceramic discs left by his father:
"Every time I look back, I feel like I am returning to memories. Later, I also tried painting ceramics, and realized that it was a very meditation-like experience - requiring absolute concentration, restraint and patience in each hand of the pen. I understand why my father loves him so much.
Reading Nguyen Huy Thiep's notebooks in pictures
Not only illustrating stories, many works in Gom Thiep are also personal interpretations of Nguyen Huy Thiep - the writer of profound dialogues with religion, life, and people.
Some artists chose the works " Retired General", "Trigger Heart" or "No King" to show. Some people write meditation verses or lines that are very taep.
The diversity of styles expressed in the round ceramic plates, with the characteristic green emerald, is both classic and novel, creating a close but also profound feeling.
Therefore, the exhibition not only attracts artists but also general audiences.
Coincidentally visiting the exhibition, Mr. Hung (Thanh Xuan, Hanoi) shared: I have never read Nguyen Huy Thieps work but I know his name. When I happened to visit the exhibition, I was attracted by the diversity of the way of expression.
After watching, a few ceramic discs made me feel curious, and could urge me to read and learn more about Nguyen Huy Thiep's literary works".
At the end of the exhibition on April 20 at the 22 Hang Buom Cultural and Art Center (Hanoi), Gom Thiep will continue its journey to Hoi An (Quang Nam) and Ho Chi Minh City.
Literature Nguyen Huy Thiep is not only present in books, but comes back to life in ceramics, in the eyes of today's enjoyers.
Nguyen Huy Thiep (19502021) is one of the outstanding writers of Vietnamese literature during the renovation period.
With a sharp style, rich in realism and critical thinking, he is considered a innovator of the contemporary short story genre. His typical works include retired General, No King, pay the river, Hua Tat Winds...
He received the French Literature and Arts Medal 2007 and the Premio Nonino Award (Italy, 2008).
Nguyen Huy Thiep passed away in 2021 in Hanoi, leaving a profound literary legacy and a lasting impact on Vietnamese literary life.
