Art from "inanimate" pieces of wood
At Cui Lu workshop peacefully located by the Co Co River, Da Nang city, the atmosphere of Binh Ngo Tet days becomes more bustling than ever. The sound of carving echoes in the green space of the countryside as proof of the hard work of the artisans. To prepare for this year's horse collection, artisan Le Ngoc Thuan - founder of Cui Lu Village - said that he had to come up with ideas and prepare materials from more than a year ago. Finding and selecting firewood with suitable shapes and durable wood material is the most important step to create the soul for each work.
The creative inspiration for this year's horse collection comes not only from the image of animals in life but also crystallizes from the traditional cultural values of Vietnam. Artisan Le Ngoc Thuan shared that he spent a lot of time researching through books, newspapers and folk legends, especially the image of Saint Giong's iron horse.
However, instead of copying existing models, the artisans here focus on "capturing" the spirit of horses: from their physique, gait to the way horses interact friendly with humans. Each horse statue is a combination of modern block language and healthy muscular lines, creating artistic inconsistency for each horse individual in the collection.
Pisces Code
The most special highlight and also the pride of Cui Lu Village during this Tet holiday is the "Kim Ngu Horse" model. This is a bold experiment when combining the image of a strong horse with the image of a graceful fish. The work is not only limited to simple wood carving but also the intersection of many traditional handicrafts. Artisans have used sophisticated lacquer techniques to decorate the surface, and attached bronze details to create luxury and visual highlights.
This combination brings a breath of fresh air to wood carving art, making the horse not only a symbol of endurance but also meaning of luck and fortune.
To have a complete work, craftsmen like Mr. Vo Duc Anh or Mr. Pham Viet Thanh must go through many strict stages. From drawing models, choosing wood, shaping saws to chiseling details and lacquer, each step requires absolute meticulousness and patience.
The "wooden horse herds" with all kinds of postures, from brave warhorses on the battlefield to elegant goldfish horses, are gradually being perfected to serve the public's display and viewing needs.
These works not only carry the breath of spring but also carry pride in a revived craft village. From things that seemed to be discarded after each flood season, through the hands and intelligence of people, they have become spiritual treasures, affirming the strong vitality of the flow of culture and art on Da Nang land.
