Thiep Pottery, paintings from the understanding of Nguyen Huy Thiep

Nguyen Dinh Vu's ceramic plate was inspired by the story "Phat Tiet" by Nguyen Huy Thiep.

This year, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the birth of writer Nguyen Huy Thiep (1950 - 2025), at the initiative of painter Le Thiet Cuong and writer Nguyen Huy Thiep's family, the exhibition Gom Thiep was jointly organized.

This exhibition not only displays ceramic works created by the late writer many years ago, but also has the participation of 42 ceramic artists at two locations: Gallery 39A Ly Quoc Su of Le Thiet Cuong and Nguyen Huy Thiep Space.

The Water God's Daughter - work by Nguyen Phan Bach

Drawing the thoughts of Nguyen Huy Thiep

Everyone loves him, even those who have almost never met him, but Thiep's literary works have long been imprinted in people's hearts.

Previously, in 2007, Nguyen Huy Thiep and Le Thiet Cuong also invited many artist friends to illustrate Thiep's short story collection. Currently, these illustrations are kept at home by Bach and Khoa - the writer's sons.

The drawings show how the artist read him, understood him, and understood his life and the life they themselves experienced to form the drawings. They are no longer illustrations of stories but reflections from the writer's life and perspective, along with each individual's drawing style.

Retired General, work by Le Thiet Cuong

The 41 artists participating in this ceramic painting competition are mostly painters, and the others are writers and artists from different fields of art. But all of them understood Nguyen Huy Thiep through his short stories about life - a time full of uncertainty, hardship and no shortage of irony and humor.

Most of Nguyen Huy Thiep's friends lived through that time, which now seems like a nightmare that never happened.

Mr. Thiep has deeply and subtly portrayed the years he lived and interacted with hundreds of years of human life, to capture the deepest impressions in literature.

Dignity, painted by Phan Cam Thuong

Thoughts on life with Nguyen Huy Thiep

Nguyen Huy Thiep also participated in painting for a long time, especially during the subsidy period, he often went with hired painters to decorate the Giang Vo exhibition fair, to earn a little extra money.

Although he was self-taught and had no intention of becoming a painter, Nguyen Huy Thiep was able to draw and express himself through his drawings. Later, he no longer had to paint for exhibitions. He continued to paint on ceramics and especially enjoyed painting portraits of his friends on ceramic plates and vases.

Those are very honest images as he thought.

The paintings drawn on plates and vases this time by 42 artists also reflect each person's own feelings and style.

They have their own view of his literature combined with their painting habits and put them on pottery.

Painting ceramics with indigo (cobalt oxide) and green (manganese oxide) is also limited in color and quite difficult to paint, when too thin it will flow, when too thick it will burn easily, but basically they are painted like black and white ink painting, which most artists are familiar with.

Not exactly a literary illustration, more of a reflection on life with Nguyen Huy Thiep.

Ceramic plate painted with writer Le Luu by Nguyen Huy Thiep

The Thiep Ceramic Exhibition is co-organized by Nguyen Huy Thiep Art Space and Gallery39 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the birth of writer Nguyen Huy Thiep (1950 - 2025).

The exhibition is curated by artist Le Thiet Cuong.

For the first time, there was a ceramic exhibition (jars, plates) displaying works inspired by sentences and poems in short stories by writer Nguyen Huy Thiep with a large number of participating artists.

For the first time, art lovers will be able to enjoy ceramic works painted by writer Nguyen Huy Thiep during his lifetime.

The event will be held in all three regions. First in Hanoi, the exhibition will take place at the Cultural and Art Center 22 Hang Buom from April 4 to April 22.

The exhibition will then go to Củi Lũ Art Space Hoi An, Da Nang City, and then to Ho Chi Minh City.

Works by Le Tri Dung

The dignity of painter Nguyen Doan Ninh

Crossing the River - Dang Tien

Flow, River - Quach Dong Phuong

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/gom-thiep-nhung-buc-ve-tu-long-thau-hieu-nguyen-huy-thiep-20250328184324789.htm