Unique art of wood carving

From lifeless pieces of wood, with patience and skillful hands, master craftsmen breathe life into each grain, transforming them into vibrant works of art. From this, the art of wood carving continues to affirm the enduring value of this traditional craft in the modern era.

Unique sculptures and wooden statues.

Besides his famous fine art, caricatures, and 3D paintings, artist Pham Ba Cuong (residing in Duong Minh Chau commune) is also known for his many unique sculptures and wooden statues.

He came to wood carving by chance. While on business trips to the provinces of Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, and Dak Nong (before the merger), he saw some very interesting wood carving workshops. With his artistic talent, he knew he could do this job, so he asked to visit and learn the techniques. Afterwards, he and his colleagues tried making a few carved products.

Every day, artist Pham Ba Cuong diligently works on wood carving (Photo: Dai Duong).

"During my career, if I'm unsure about something, I learn more through the internet. Nowadays, there are many people online sharing how to do things, including how to use machinery, with detailed instructions. What's important is your talent and inner strength; the methods aren't actually difficult," said Mr. Cuong.

Born and raised near the Dau Tieng Reservoir irrigation project, during the dry season, this largest artificial irrigation project in Southeast Asia reveals many strangely shaped tree stumps and trunks. Artist Pham Ba Cuong has taken advantage of this as a rich source of material and subject matter for his wood carving craft.

He buys driftwood that locals salvage from Dau Tieng Lake, brings it home, and begins creating artwork. From these rough tree stumps and roots, he gradually creates works depicting birds, fish, and some land animals.

In the following years, he honed his skills, creating larger, more elaborate, and complex works such as Buddha statues, statues of artisans, or combinations of dragons and phoenixes, eagles catching snakes, and a family of spotted jewels, etc.

The owner of these products shared: “Wood carving is very hard work, not easy at all. Those who do it have to carry heavy loads and work in noisy, dusty environments. The most difficult part is coming up with the idea for the artwork. From a tree trunk, you have to visualize the shape of the statue, mascot, or bird in the most beautiful way, suitable for the trunk's form. In addition, the success of the artwork depends on the time, skill, diligence, and meticulousness of the craftsman.”

According to Mr. Cuong, the time it takes to complete a piece depends on the size and complexity of the statue. For statues that are about 40cm wide and 40cm high, he only needs 2-3 days to complete them. For larger, more detailed, and technically challenging pieces, it can take a whole month to finish.

In recent years, timber resources from the Dau Tieng reservoir have become increasingly scarce, so he has switched to purchasing tree stumps from forests and cultivated trees with strong, beautiful wood grain to continue his work. Artist Pham Ba Cuong revealed that, to date, he has not won any major awards, but has had 5 works exhibited at the Regional Fine Arts Exhibition VII (Southeast Vietnam) and 2 works exhibited at the National Fine Arts Exhibition.

Speaking about the "output" of these products, artist Pham Ba Cuong shared that the art of driftwood carving flourished about 15 years ago, but since the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy has been affected, the number of art wood enthusiasts has decreased, and sales of products on the market have tended to slow down.

Currently, sculptors can still make a living from their beloved craft. However, they need to use modern machinery and tools to support the creative process and shorten the time it takes to complete a work. If they continued to work entirely by hand as before, it would be slow, labor-intensive, and expensive, making it very difficult to compete in the market.

Some wooden sculptures by artist Pham Ba Cuong (Photo: Dai Duong)

For his contributions, in 2022, artist Pham Ba Cuong was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the People's Committee of Duong Minh Chau District for his outstanding achievements in creating literary and artistic works during the 2017-2022 term.

At the 2024 National Unity Day in Duong Minh Chau town, many of his sculptures were displayed and exhibited at Duong Minh Chau district park. In 2025, artist Pham Ba Cuong was honored to receive a Certificate of Commendation from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee for his outstanding achievements in studying and following the ideology, ethics, and style of Ho Chi Minh in 2024.

Regarding his future plans, artist Pham Ba Cuong revealed that he has purchased two blocks of round wood and is preparing to create a work for the upcoming Regional Fine Arts Exhibition VII (Southeast Vietnam). He is also preparing to participate in the Tay Ninh Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition in the near future, and is nurturing the idea of ​​creating a sculpture about the unification of the two provinces of Tay Ninh and Long An.

“This artwork is titled ‘ Sharing the Same River .’ I bought the wood and sketched out the idea on a drawing. I will do my best on this piece. I hope it will be judged by the Art Council, exhibited to contribute to promoting the policy of streamlining the administrative apparatus, and contribute to the development of the province's culture and art,” artist Pham Ba Cuong expressed.

Bringing wood carving art into everyday life.

Beyond creating academically significant exhibition pieces, the skillful hands of artisan Pham Van Chinh (residing in Bun Ba Cua hamlet, Thanh Hoa commune) transform dry, rigid pieces of wood into vibrant, relatable, and practical objects for everyday life.

Having dedicated nearly 40 years to the craft of "breathing life into wood," despite facing numerous difficulties, Mr. Chinh, driven by passion and meticulousness, has continuously researched and innovated, ensuring that each day his "creations" become more refined and highly practical.

Wood sculptor Pham Van Chinh and his passion at his woodworking workshop (Photo: Vinh Hung)

“Initially, the work wasn't perfect, but gradually, with practice and skill, progress is inevitable, especially with the opportunity to hone skills, learn, and test oneself through competitions related to handicrafts and wood carving. Furthermore, local authorities and relevant departments have shown interest and provided support, investing in additional machinery and equipment through industrial promotion programs. Wood carving requires passion and love; you can't give up halfway because this craft is very difficult. If anyone in the surrounding area has talent and wants to learn the craft, I wholeheartedly guide and support them,” shared artisan Pham Van Chinh.

Using wood as the raw material, in addition to statues and vases for display, Mr. Chinh's workshop also produces a variety of household items such as cabinets, chairs, sofas, and interior decoration products. He has also invested in equipment and machinery in some stages to increase productivity and reduce manual labor.

Mr. Ta Tan Phu, Party Secretary and Head of Thuy Tay Hamlet, Thanh Hoa Commune, said: “For the locality, artisan Pham Van Chinh's production facility meets the needs of the people in the area for wooden statues and sculptures. It is encouraging that the facility's products have also reached neighboring provinces, meeting the market demand for handicrafts and interior decoration products.”

Besides improving his economic situation, wood carving is also an opportunity for artisan Pham Van Chinh to nurture his passion, create unique works of art, and win several awards at wood carving competitions both locally and internationally.

More than just preserving a craft, amidst modern life, wood carving art also "awakens" the rustic values ​​of masterpieces created by skilled hands and minds.

Thanh Thúy

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/doc-dao-nghe-thuat-dieu-khac-go-148039.html