Born into a family with a long tradition of Bat Trang pottery making, Nguyen Trong Nghia inherited experience and a love for the craft from his grandparents and parents. In 2010, he took over and developed his family's pottery workshop, supplying hundreds of thousands of products to the market annually. His pottery products have won numerous handicraft awards at various levels, most notably the A prize at the "Vietnam Handicraft Products Competition 2023" and the third prize at the "Handicraft Product Design Competition 2024". Recalling the pottery competitions he has participated in, Nghia shared: "Each competition was an opportunity for me to learn more about pottery, from composition and glaze colors to how to convey a story through the product. The strict standards of the professionals always remind me to calm down and assess whether my products are sophisticated enough."

Artisan Nguyen Trong Nghia.

Artisan Nguyen Trong Nghia and his workshop members have created many unique, large-scale ceramic works of high artistic value, using entirely handcrafted methods to preserve the traditional Bat Trang pottery craft. Through each work, he conveys his love for pottery along with personal messages and stories. He is most proud of the ceramic statue "The Guardian Serpent," which he conceived over two years and produced in one year. The statue is 1.9m high, 1m wide, and weighs over 500kg. It depicts the Buddha meditating on a lotus pedestal, with a majestic serpent behind him, its hood spread wide like a canopy. From the soft folds of the Buddha's robe to the strong, sturdy scales of the serpent, everything is meticulously handcrafted. The work symbolizes purity and protection in Buddhism, as well as the sacred connection between humanity and the universe.

In his journey of developing his craft, artisan Nguyen Trong Nghia combines traditional techniques with the application of modern machinery. He said: “I proactively upgraded the workshop facilities and invested in electric kilns early on to ensure productivity, maintain product quality, and protect the environment.” He produces household goods, religious items, etc., using a semi-manual method, resulting in uniform products that meet market demands. Meanwhile, large-scale works of art are made entirely by hand. In addition, to contribute to affirming the value of Bat Trang ceramics in the international market, he and his colleagues established a joint-stock company to research and design ceramic products suitable for the needs and cultures of other countries.

Along with creativity and production, artisan Nguyen Trong Nghia devotes much of his passion to teaching the craft. According to him, to keep apprentices committed to the traditional craft, it's essential to first provide them with economic stability, and only then can cultural values ​​and the passion for the craft be passed on. Nguyen Trung Dung (33 years old, from Bat Trang commune), an apprentice of artisan Nguyen Trong Nghia, shared: “Mr. Nghia's love for the craft and dedication helped me realize that pottery making is a journey of living with earth and fire. I understand the essence of pottery before adjusting formulas, observe carefully during practice, and continuously experiment systematically to make the products better and better.”

Artisans like Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia, with their passion for their craft, skillful hands, and dedication, are important factors contributing positively to the development of Bat Trang pottery in the era of integration and innovation.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/ben-bi-giu-chat-nghe-gom-bat-trang-1040977