'The Garden of Happiness': A tribute to the earth, to fire, to life.

Following the exhibition 'Whispers of Pottery', artist Nguyen Thi Dung embarked on the 'Garden of Happiness' project with the message: nothing is impossible if we love the land and sow seeds in it; happiness will blossom and bear fruit.

On the morning of November 8th at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts (97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, Ben Thanh Ward), artist Nguyen Thi Dung opened the exhibition " The Garden of Happiness ," featuring a selection of her works stemming from her love of ceramics. "The Garden of Happiness" is like a bright, joyful symphony, reflecting the perspective of someone who has weathered many storms.

For over 20 years, Nguyen Thi Dung (a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, and the Saigon Ceramics Club) has been tirelessly and diligently pursuing her craft of pottery. For her, pottery making is not just a job, but a calling, a deep connection with earth and fire, and an unwavering devotion to art.

The Garden of Happiness is like a harmonious symphony, rejoicing with flowers in the spirit of someone who has weathered storms.

Photo: MINH NGUYET

The horses, flowers, leaves… are depicted using techniques that are both traditional and innovative.

Photo: MINH NGUYET

Each object seems to possess a soul, conversing with the viewer through a silent yet emotionally charged language.

Photo: MINH NGUYET

Every glaze line, every block of material is meticulously crafted by the skillful hands of the artist.

Photo: MINH NGUYET

After graduating from Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts, artist Nguyen Thi Dung entered life like many other young people: trying to make a living while also wanting to work in her field of study. But after experiencing setbacks in her career, she and her husband, Ngo Trong Van, decided to "go their own way," embarking on a path where they could live authentically with their emotions and wholeheartedly pursue their creativity.

"The early days of starting a business were not easy at all. Living in rented accommodation, making pottery amidst countless worries, there were many times when tears rolled down my face. Once, after drying a batch of pottery and preparing to save up to buy a kiln, the roof of our house was blown off. It rained heavily, and months of hard work were swept away by the floodwaters. My husband encouraged me to start over," she recalled emotionally, remembering the countless hardships for her love of pottery.

Artist Nguyen Thi Dung has always had a passionate love for artistic creation, particularly with ceramics.

Photo: Provided by the interviewee

The Garden of Happiness: Experience simple happiness with your own hands.

Visiting her "Garden of Happiness" at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, viewers will feel that while remaining true to the rustic and simple spirit of Vietnamese pottery, she seems to have infused it with a new rhythm, one that is soft, graceful, and full of vitality.

The exhibition is not just a display of ceramic works, but also a storytelling space: where each object seems to possess a soul, engaging in dialogue with viewers through a silent yet emotionally charged language. The works also represent a selective inheritance; connecting old heritage with contemporary spirit. Every glaze, every form contains the story of an artist learning to enjoy life; slowing down to feel simple happiness from their own hands.

The works of artist Nguyen Thi Dung always aim towards a love of life.

Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Feminine, simple, and always close to nature – that's the style the artist has established in her works.

" For me , 'The Garden of Happiness' is not just an art exhibition, but a tribute I want to dedicate to life, to the land, to fire, and to those who have believed in and supported me throughout my career," artist Nguyen Thi Dung expressed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khu-vuon-hanh-phuc-loi-tri-an-cho-dat-cho-lua-cho-doi-185251108110016943.htm