Firewood Art Space
Sculptor Le Ngoc Thuan (Hoi An, Quang Nam) is preparing his latest works for an exhibition taking place in Hanoi in early September. Inspired by the Mid-Autumn Festival, he will present three sculptures created from old wooden planks washed ashore after floods in his hometown. His three new works, titled "Going to the City," "Fish Carrying the Moon," and "Playing with the Lion Dance," evoke nostalgic memories of childhood with the Moon Goddess, the Moon Man, and the lion and dragon dances of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Many people know Le Ngoc Thuan by the familiar name: "Thuan the woodcutter." Last May, he first brought his sculptures to the "Animals" exhibition organized by artist Le Thiet Cuong in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Viewers were quite unfamiliar with his works, and many were purchased "in bulk," displayed prominently in the homes of collectors.
Le Ngoc Thuan shared that in his hometown of Quang Nam , people often use animals like buffaloes, chickens, and owls as protective mascots, shielding them in their daily lives. Having been closely connected to rivers, mountains, and forests since childhood, he has loved the blue of the sea, the bustling scene of boats on the river, the colors of the wind, the sun, and the sunset... From this, he creates emotionally rich cultural stories from lifeless pieces of wood that are usually only brought home for firewood.
Not content with simply repurposing old wooden planks from floods, Le Ngoc Thuan is gradually realizing his dream of building a Driftwood art space. His Driftwood Village in Dong Na hamlet (Hoi An city) has now become a cultural destination attracting many tourists. He has dedicated a 1,200m2 space to display thousands of recycled artworks, including models of Hoi An ancient town, the Japanese Bridge, zodiac animals, and statues of the Co Tu ethnic group.
The artworks are entirely handcrafted, deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. Visitors can also directly observe skilled craftsmen carving wood, learn woodworking techniques, and experience making handicrafts. In the long term, Le Ngoc Thuan plans to establish art workshops using recycled waste materials such as fabric, wood, and plastic bottles during the summer, creating a space for recreation and experience while also generating livelihoods for local people. “I am fortunate to live in a region with a rich cultural heritage like Hoi An, with once-famous craft villages such as Thanh Ha pottery village, Ban Thach mat-making village, and Kim Bong carpentry village…”
"Specifically in Kim Bong woodworking village, where I'm deeply connected, I've noticed a lack of product variety. Craftsmen are gradually abandoning the trade and switching to other professions. I want to breathe new life into these wooden products, with a different, fresher approach and perspective... so that even small pieces of wood can be transformed into products. Small wooden sculptures of familiar animals could serve as souvenirs for both domestic and international tourists. This is how we protect the environment while simultaneously creating jobs for the local people," said Mr. Le Ngoc Thuan.
Integrating fine arts products into community tourism.
Le Ngoc Thuan is also a familiar name as a pioneer in establishing the first homestay tourism model in An Bang (Hoi An) more than 10 years ago. With this model, he hopes to create a better living environment for the community, thereby contributing to preserving the tangible and intangible cultural values of An Bang. His homestay model makes maximum use of local human resources. He preserves the traditional coastal house architecture: three-room houses with verandas and decorative moldings on the doors, serving both air circulation and aesthetic value; he retains almost all the greenery in the garden; and he preserves the sandy paths leading down to the beach.
In addition, he uses local, inexpensive, and readily available materials while still ensuring functionality and aesthetic value for the homestay. The accommodation spaces are roofed with coconut leaves, and fences are made of bamboo or old boat wood. Notably, the room furnishings are creatively made from recycled materials: mirror frames assembled from branches and seashells; hanging lamps made from firewood collected on the beach; headboard decorations made from old boat planks... Ms. Hoang My Hanh, a tourist who once chose An Bang as a destination for her whole family, commented: Le Ngoc Thuan has enriched the local culture, drawing inspiration from the culture of the ethnic minorities in Quang Nam to incorporate into his work.
Le Ngoc Thuan is also nurturing the idea of building a recycled art "ecosystem." The recycled wood products from this young sculptor's Coco Casa workshop are not only present in his hometown, in homestays in An Bang, but are also beginning to appear in community tourism destinations in Tuyen Quang, Bac Giang, and Thai Nguyen. Classes on recycled art are also being established. In addition, he is expanding his sourcing of materials locally, adding cinnamon wood, acacia, and mahogany to his crafting materials. "With just an idea, we can revive the craft village. We hope to work with fellow artists and the government to revive the craft village."
"I often organize weekend art markets, places to meet friends and tourists. With our recycled art center and exhibition space, our products can reach the whole country and even abroad... Combined with sea festivals and food festivals, we will bring tourists memorable cultural and tourism experiences," - Le Ngoc Thuan expressed his optimism when looking back at the achievements of him and the people of An Bang over the past years.
To revive traditional crafts and create livelihoods for the people, the path of artistic innovation is a noteworthy option. Not only do recycled art projects, whether small or large-scale, create aesthetically pleasing artifacts and spaces, but they also bring new awareness to the people.
Artist Le Thiet Cuong, who has spent many years working in traditional craft villages, believes that: “Our ancestors did not want future generations to ‘copy.’ We must renew traditions, transforming heritage into assets… Why is it that in our country, there are thousands of craft villages, but most are facing ‘starvation,’ or even complete collapse? The reason is a lack of creativity, a lack of design, and a lack of modernity. If the products of a craft village can survive in today’s life, then they can exist on their own. That’s the story of design.”
This late August, Le Ngoc Thuan's "Hoi An Floodwood Story" will be showcased in Wernigerode, Germany. A miniature image of Hoi An is recreated through Le Ngoc Thuan's sculptures, featuring the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An Old Town, and traditional craft villages vividly depicted on seemingly discarded logs. His 24 works will be prominently displayed in the 200m² "Hoi An Garden" installation. This good news opens up a correct perspective for the community on global art trends: artistic creation must go hand in hand with resource and environmental protection. Human attitudes towards the environment can be awakened through art.
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