Creativity from hometown side dishes
Art house is a group of art teachers, students and art lovers in Can Tho. Inspired by the Western countryside, where corn is closely associated with people's lives, the group has sought to "revive" corn shells with traditional handicrafts.
Painter Le Thi Kieu Nga, Vice President of Can Tho City Fine Arts Association, head of Can Tho Art House group shared: In Dong Thap, people make art from lotus, in Hau Giang is water hyacinth, in An Giang is sedge. Can Tho alone has many corn growing areas, we want to turn this seemingly abandoned thing into a valuable creative material.
With a completely manual process, each handbag made from corn peel must go through many meticulous stages: collecting, processing, drying the skin through two Persimmons; choosing the right size for weaving (one-piece, two-piece, knit, knit, knit); decorating accessories with Lanh My A silk fabric (a famous traditional material of Dong Thap). Each product takes 1-2 days to complete.
The handbag models have a modern and impressive shape but are still imbued with traditional handicrafts, suitable for going out, walking around the city, giving gifts...
"During the process, we processed the corn shells and shells together into long strands and shaped them, interwoven them into baskets. At first, everyone thought the idea of using corn peels was a trick. But when looking at it firsthand, many people were surprised because they didn't think this material could make such a beautiful and sophisticated item," said Ms. Nga.
Currently, the group has launched more than 30 other handmade products from corn shells such as wallets, bottle lining soles, decorative mirror frames, mirror screens, etc.
Making paper
Not stopping at handbags, the group also researched and produced handmade paper from corn shells. The shell is pureed to form a powder, then mixed with food color, natural leafy flowers to make light-colored paper, suitable for the art of painting printing.
From these corn shell sheets, the group made folk paintings, combined woodcut printing techniques and colored paintings in the style of Dong Ho and Hang Trong paintings. In addition, the group also painted local landscape paintings, male and female reindeer... on corn leaf paper with the desire to introduce the land of Can Tho. Each product is a harmonious combination of new materials and traditional aesthetic spirit.
Although only a small group, Can Tho Art House is gradually spreading the spirit of green living and sustainable creativity in the community. The members also regularly organize handmade tour sessions for students and local people.
Ms. Tran Thi Kim Dung, a member of the Can Tho Art house group, currently a fine arts teacher at An Thoi Secondary School, said: Through this activity, I also create more income for myself and regenerate new sources of energy. Through the products, the group hopes to spread to students, helping them love culture more, and create more from simple materials in life.
Dang Tuyet Nghi, a student at FPT University Can Tho, said: "We cooperate with Ms. Nga to make these products with the desire to convey more value, make handicraft products, contribute to preserving cultural traditions".
