Nguyen Tan Phat, the renowned 40-year-old lacquer artist, has dedicated his professional life to the craft, honing his skills over a 22-year career. Learning from skilled craftsmen in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and artisan villages, he has mastered the traditional techniques of this ancient art form.
Tan Phat’s unwavering commitment to traditional craftsmanship sets him apart. His creations are more than just art; they convey important messages and tell stories of Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Each year, he meticulously crafts collections of lacquer sculptures based on the zodiac animal, with an impressive number of pieces. For example, he created 1,010 buffalo statues, 2,022 tiger statues, and plans to create 2,023 cat statues and 1,000 dragon-fairy statues for the upcoming years.
In addition to his lacquer art, Tan Phat has also ventured into straw handicrafts, creating a unique series to enrich his catalog and offer tourists a memorable experience when visiting the Duong Lam Ancient Village.Â
| Â Artisan Nguyen Tan Phat and his majestic dragon lacquer artwork, a symbol of power and good fortune in Vietnamese culture. The piece was crafted with meticulous attention to detail, honoring the traditions of the Year of the Dragon 2023. Photo courtesy: The artist himself |
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What drew you to lacquer art, and why have you stayed with it all these years?
Hailing from Son Tay, known as the “land of talented people,” Tan Phat believes he inherited his ancestors’ artistic abilities. His father worked in iron construction, and his grandfather was a temple and pagoda painter. Accompanying them on their travels, he developed a deep appreciation for sculpture and Vietnamese motifs. After high school, he pursued his passion at the University of Industrial Fine Arts, where he fell in love with traditional lacquer art.
Tan Phat chose to dedicate himself to traditional crafts from the start, knowing the challenges and lower profits compared to mass production. However, his unique creations, inspired by Vietnam’s rich craft heritage and significant events, have a more profound impact and a lasting connection with the community.
How do you maintain your artistic focus and creativity during the creative process?
Tan Phat believes that Vietnamese handicrafts should be accessible and practical. He focuses on creating functional art, such as night lamps, incense burners, fruit bowls, and flower vases, all adorned with village gates, bell towers, and traditional patterns. By emphasizing the culture of his homeland, he expresses his gratitude, and his sculptures take on a rustic Vietnamese charm that many admire.
Your lacquer workshop in the ancient village of Duong Lam has become a popular tourist attraction. How do you create experiences that captivate and engage visitors?
Tan Phat welcomes visitors with open doors, offering free entry to his workshop as a way to introduce the traditional Vietnamese lacquer craft. He is thrilled that his workshop contributes to the community’s appeal, and with over 20 years of experience, he also conducts free lacquer craft classes for locals. Tourists can try their hand at lacquer art and take home souvenirs, learning about Vietnamese culture in a unique and memorable way.
| Â Â A moment captured in time: Artisan Nguyen Tan Phat teaches children the art of straw handicrafts, creating buffaloes and horses from straw. This project brings joy to the village children and adds value to local tourism. Photo: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times |
You’ve recently started creating handicrafts from straw. Can you tell us more about this innovative project?
Recognizing the waste generated from rice harvesting, Tan Phat purchases, cleans, and dries straw to create durable and entertaining animal sculptures. These straw handicrafts not only bring joy to the village children but also enhance the local tourism experience. Tourists visiting the Duong Lam ancient village often seek unique, traditional folk products, and Tan Phat’s straw creations offer a novel and economically efficient alternative to waste.
Looking ahead, he plans to continue innovating with straw, helping farmers increase their income from discarded materials while promoting the folk values of Vietnamese villages. For Tan Phat, his greatest achievement is not the titles or awards, but the impact he has made in introducing the craftsmanship, cultural values, and fine traditions of Vietnam to a global audience.
Thank you, Tan Phat, for sharing your inspiring journey and contributions to the world of art and culture.
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