Fine art ceramic exhibition inspired by the late writer Nguyen Huy Thiep

Portrait of Nguyen Huy Thiep on ceramic plate, painted by Nguyen Dinh Vu. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

On the occasion of the 75th birthday of writer Nguyen Huy Thiep (1950-2025), the art space named after him (run by his family) and Gallery39 jointly organized an exhibition event called Gom Thiep.

The works at the exhibition are a series of ceramic vases and ceramic plates created by more than 40 artists, inspired by the literature and poetry of Nguyen Huy Thiep. Some of the names that can be mentioned include artists Le Tri Dung, Phan Cam Thuong, Dang Xuan Hoa, Le Thiet Cuong (owner of Gallery39 and curator of the exhibition), Tao Linh, Nguyen Dinh Vu, Binh Nhi...

According to Mr. Nguyen Phan Khoa, the late writer's youngest son, this is the largest-scale event the family has held since his death.

The event displays more than 100 ceramic works painted based on a plot, plot twist, dialogue in the story, or with the name of the work... created by him.

The ceramic used is Bat Trang blue and white ceramic, only two colors but still no less colorful through expressive nuances and personal imprints.

Notable among the works on display is a series of ceramics painted by Nguyen Huy Thiep himself during his lifetime. He painted himself, his family members, his friends, artists... as gifts for everyone.

A ceramic plate by Nguyen Huy Thiep depicting writer Le Luu. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The late writer also had ceramic plates with portraits of great writers Victor Hugo, Williams Shakespeare, Fyodor Dostoevsky... on the front, and the back recorded the statements that were associated with their names.

The Gom Thiep Exhibition will be held at the Cultural and Artistic Center 22 Hang Buom, Hanoi; Củi Lu Art Space Hoi An, Da Nang; and in Ho Chi Minh City. The exhibition opens in Hanoi first, lasting from April 4-20.

Nguyen Huy Thiep (1950-2021) is one of the most prominent writers on the contemporary literary scene in Vietnam. His name is associated with works such as "The Retired General", "The Winds of Hua Tat", "No King" or "Flow, River" ...

He has been successful in many fields from novels, short stories, to poetry and paintings, showing a bold, challenging perspective on social issues, revealing profound thoughts about humanity./.