The fragile materials and meticulous embroidery techniques create a very Vietnamese way of storytelling: Quiet, profound, calm and containing the depth of Eastern culture. From the steady steps to the path of spreading, Ms. Cuc is quietly taking away some of the quintessence of Vietnamese handicrafts in her own way.
Fate comes to the profession
As a person who has won many awards such as: Golden Hand Artist, National Artist or Famous Artist of the Land of Vietnam... she came to the profession not from a big art project or a elaborate exploration, but the opportunity to come to the bust of Ms. Quan Thi Cuc started by chance.
During the tireless days of teaching hand-embroidered crafts to students, they were the ones who guided her to touch materials that seemed fragile to the point where they could not be touched. She recalled: During the process of passing on the profession, it was the students who brought me to touch the October leaf bones. When I saw that the bones and leaves were so beautiful and meaningful, I wanted to try my hand and find a way to embroider them on the leaves.
But from wanting to do it to doing it is a difficult journey. Ho Do leaves are inherently brittle and easy to tear, just a little strength is enough to make everyone try to disappear. In the early days, Ms. Cuc was disappointed many times when the leaf refused to "cooperate" only need to deviate by 1mm or use a little strength to ruin the whole process.
From processing leaves to separating the leaf meat, soaking for many months or boiling for many hours to drawing samples, placing the first needles all require absolute calmness. For her, every stage is difficult, so she needs to be careful as if she is caring for a fragile baby.
The moment she realized that badminton leaves could become a true art form came very naturally. She shared: "When I posted the embroidered badminton leaves on social media, many people were amazed and wanted to own that leaf."
In each work, many people notice the meditation, stillness and folk breath. She explained that with two sources of inspiration: For customers, I often choose the topics of peace, luck, and childhood memories; the rest are moments she embroidered for herself: "I can embroider whatever I like, as long as I am happy".
The journey to spread the profession
To this day, embroidering on badminton leaves is not only a difficult technique but also a journey to spread a special cultural value. For Ms. Cuc, the biggest mission is to inspire young people to find a career.
Many students come to her to heal, to regain their breathing after long stressful days: Hand-embroidered has never been just a job. It is also a gentle therapy that helps people find their own breathing rhythm so that their hearts can be silent during stormy days".
In her story, embroidery not only preserves tradition but also preserves peace for the human soul.
However, the path to spreading the profession is not always favorable. Communication for Vietnamese handicraft products, especially new creative lines such as embroidery on October 15 leaves, is still modest. She said that many people even misunderstood the material. They thought the leaves were made of plastic, made of fabric cut into leaves. These sometimes reduce the value of natural leaves.
Regarding the ability to bring the profession to the international market, she practically recognizes that embroidered badminton leaves can become a work of art, but to become a popular product line, there are many barriers to cultural awareness. However, she still believes in the inherent value of the profession, believes in the art of embroidery lovers and the works with the only beauty of human hands.
Attached to the profession, Ms. Cuc carries a simple but profound message: Hand-embroidered is a way to connect the past and the present, a bridge between tradition and creativity of the new generation. I always want to help embroidery lovers have standard models, correct knowledge and instil a love for the profession in more people".
On that patiently journey, Ms. Cuc is quietly contributing another piece to the picture of Vietnamese handicrafts. From the small needles on the poverty line, she told truly peaceful, profound and persistent Vietnamese stories like the spirit of a woman preserving a traditional profession.
