(VOVWORLD) - Using delicate strips of bamboo and rattan, artisan Nguyen Van Trung of Hanoi has skillfully created stunning portraits of President Ho Chi Minh.
 President Ho Chi Minh is portrayed in the art work by Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Van Trung. (Photo: Lam Nguyen/kinhtedothi.vn) |
“I have a great passion for weaving portraits of President Ho Chi Minh from bamboo and rattan. In each piece, I strive to capture not just his likeness, but the very soul of the leader,” said Trung.
Born in the craft village of Phu Vinh in Chuong My district, Emeritus Artisan Nguyen Van Trung has been familiar with bamboo and rattan since his childhood. He is the 8th generation of his family to pursue the rattan weaving craft. What sets him apart is that he is the only person in the village who specializes in weaving portraits of President Ho Chi Minh.
“In the past, the elders also wove pictures. I learned from an elderly artisan in the village. Once I mastered the technique, I told myself I must weave a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh to honor our national leader and promote the craft,” said Trung.
 Artisan Nguyen Van Trung breathes life into each of his creations. (Photo: Dieu Huyen/qdnd.vn) |
Motivated by his deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, Trung spent months researching, studying, and practicing in order to produce the best portrait he could create. In 1976, shortly after Vietnam’s reunification, he completed his first successful woven portrait of the President.
“In 1976, Vietnam had just been liberated. Everyone was overjoyed. I felt an urge to create such a portrait to showcase our weaving art and to express my respect for the beloved leader,” Trung said.
Weaving a passable portrait from strips of bamboo and rattan is a demanding task, but capturing the exact likeness and spirit of a person is even more challenging. To sharpen his skills, Trung studied at the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts and collected numerous photographs of President Ho Chi Minh for reference. A portrait that’s beautiful but not accurate is meaningless, while one that’s accurate but lacks soul is just as empty, he said.
“Breathing life into a portrait is a real challenge. When portraying President Ho Chi Minh, it’s crucial to depict him in typical contexts – working, carrying out his duties, or interacting with children. His broad forehead is a defining feature, and even the slightest misstep can alter its appearance. Equally important are his eyes. Their warmth and brightness must be portrayed with great care.”
What makes Trung’s art special is his masterful use of traditional weaving techniques to create natural shading and a sense of liveliness. He meticulously selects thin, flexible bamboo and rattan and combines up to 15 or 16 weaving methods to produce each piece. Creating a portrait of Ho Chi Minh demands precision and a deep understanding of form, light, depth, and character. Trung sometimes spends days selecting and preparing materials before he even starts to weave.
Artisans Nguyen Van Tinh and Nguyen Van Quang of Phu Vinh village said:
“When a person weaves with heartfelt respect and genuine passion, their hands naturally become more refined, and the work reaches a level of perfection. Such craftsmanship is rare, not everyone in the village can do it,” said Phu Vinh artisan, Nguyen Van Tinh.
“Artisan Trung is deeply passionate about weaving Ho Chi Minh portraits. His passion inspires the younger generation. I want to learn from him and take up portrait weaving,” said another Phu Vinh native, Nguyen Van Quang.
 Artisan Nguyen Van Trung is honored with numerous Certificates of Merit. (Photo: Dieu Huyen/qdnd.vn) |
So far, Trung has woven over 200 portraits of President Ho Chi Minh. The smallest one measures 40x60 cm, and the largest is 1.6x2 meters. He has donated many of these to state agencies and international organizations for important national events. Others have been exhibited at museums, trade fairs, and craft shows.
Nguyen Van Trung has won many national and international awards, including the
International Creative Youth Award, the Golden Hands of Indochina, and the Fine Craftsmanship Award in Japan.