Artist Ta Hai:

For over 60 years, artist Ta Hai has been creating leaf paintings, continuing his quest for beauty in the simplest things of life. In his third solo exhibition, "Playing with Leaves," recently held in Hanoi, he presented over 80 new works created from dried leaves, dried flower petals, and other seemingly forgotten materials.

For him, each leaf has a "life of its own," containing the wondrous beauty and vitality of nature. Artist Ta Hai shares his love for art and the message conveyed through his leaf paintings.

Artist Ta Hai introduces a new artwork created from dried leaves.

- What led the artist to leaf painting and why has he been so dedicated to this unique medium for over 60 years?

- When I was young, while serving in the military, every time I came home on leave, I had the opportunity to see handcrafted artworks made from natural materials. I found it fascinating and wondered if I could create something similar using the things so readily available around me. Back home, looking at the dried banana leaves in my garden, I realized how beautiful they were. Even though they were only brown, the shades were incredibly varied. I started paying more attention to other dried leaves, examining their colors and textures to see if they could be used for painting.

From then on, I tirelessly searched. The more I searched, the more I discovered the wonders of nature. There were colors I couldn't find, yet they unexpectedly appeared in everyday life. For example, the color red. Paintings without red are very limited, but dried leaves are difficult to produce that color. Once, while watching my mother prepare betel quid, I discovered that the dried betel quid had a beautiful red color. I was so happy because I had finally found the color I wanted. Or like garlic peels for white, corn husks for ivory yellow... All of this came from observing my surroundings.

- Alongside his dedication to leaf painting, he also spent many years working in journalism. How did these two seemingly different jobs influence and complement each other in his life and creative inspiration?

- These two jobs complement each other very well. Journalism gives me the opportunity to travel to many places, meet many people, and broaden my life experiences. I get to see many landscapes, many destinies, and many different shades of life. That's what nourishes my emotions and provides material for painting. And when I paint, I feel like time slows down, allowing me to reflect on what I've just experienced.

- To pursue such a unique style of painting for over 60 years, you must have received a lot of support from your family. Could you share about this special companionship?

- My whole family has encouraged and supported me a lot in pursuing my passion. After many years, everyone has also gotten into the habit of finding natural leaf materials for me to express myself. What makes me even happier is that my grandchildren also enjoy leaf art. Seeing me working diligently, they also try cutting and pasting, and making pictures like me. I think that sometimes my passion and meticulousness naturally become a gentle way of educating my children and grandchildren.

- Recently, the artist held his third exhibition, "Playing with Leaves," showcasing over 80 new works to the public. Is there anything special about these works, sir?

- This exhibition is like an opportunity for me to "show off" my interaction with nature to everyone. Over 80 paintings, over 80 different stories, but the subject matter is just a pretext for me to express my feelings about the beauty of nature. There are paintings of rural villages, paintings of Hanoi's Old Quarter, paintings of autumn forests, paintings of flowers and leaves, family portraits, or places I've traveled to. But the common thread in all of them is the desire to honor the wonder of nature. I don't focus on how beautiful my paintings are. What I hope most is that viewers feel a love for nature, and appreciate the life around them more. From my first exhibition in 1998 until now, I have maintained that same philosophy.

- Hanoi and the Vietnamese countryside appear frequently in his paintings. Why is he so attached to these themes?

- I wasn't born in Hanoi, but I've lived here since I was a child. I vividly remember the Liberation Day of the Capital, witnessing the victorious army returning; I remember the clanging of the trams, the old streets, the ancient roofs, the rows of trees... I really enjoy drawing old streets and old corners because they always evoke many memories and emotions in me. As for Vietnamese villages, perhaps because my childhood lacked very characteristic images of the countryside like bamboo groves, thatched roofs, and rice fields... I yearn even more to incorporate them into my paintings.

- Having dedicated his entire life to creating leaf paintings, what lessons has he learned from that journey that he would like to share with the public, especially young people today?

- I don't consider myself a professional artist. I see myself more as a "collector," because each leaf is a beautiful work of art in itself. I just try to let nature speak for itself through my paintings. The more I work with leaf paintings, the more I think about the life cycle of a leaf. When a leaf falls to the ground, another sprout is about to grow. That life cycle may be short, but it's very meaningful. Therefore, I always want to "revive" dried leaves, dried petals, things that many people consider worthless. When properly recognized and used, they can still bring beauty and benefit to life.

What I want to convey to the public, especially young people, is to slow down a little and observe more the simple things around us. Sometimes the most valuable things are found right in everyday life. I also hope that everyone will learn to cherish, respect, and protect nature, because then nature will provide us with an endless source of creativity.

- We sincerely thank artist Ta Hai!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nghe-si-ta-hai-mong-muan-ton-vinh-su-ky-dieu-cua-thien-nhien-750430.html