Building a profile of sculptors: Preserving and passing on valuable assets

Traditional profession fades away

Growing up in Gia Lai, Master Nong Bang Nguyen - currently a senior researcher at the Institute of Ethnology and Religious Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences ) has a special interest in the culture of the Central Highlands, including folk wooden sculptures. That is the reason he embarked on the project "Building artisan profiles to establish a folk wood carving club to develop community tourism, enhancing sustainable livelihoods for the Jrai ethnic community in Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province".

Master Nong Bang Nguyen discussed ideas on building artisan profiles to establish a folk wood carving club. Photo: Lam Nguyen

According to a survey by Master Nong Bang Nguyen, in Pleiku there are currently 19 statue sculptors, of which 14/19 are 50 years old or older, showing a gap in succession. 77% of artisans learn the craft through the “father-to-son” method, with the main source of wood coming from family gardens.

Although this team is old, it is quite flexible when 61% of artisans can make products of different sizes according to customer requirements; 17% use supporting machines. However, only 6% of artisans have a regular income from carving statues. Most of them want their children to learn the profession and establish a folk wood carving club or a craft group to develop the traditional profession. Master Nong Bang Nguyen commented that if the next generation of artisans take advantage of social networks, both innovating and digitally transforming, they will promote their products well.

A sculpture artist from Pleiku City participates in a competition. Photo: Lam Nguyen

The need to promote products is because in Pleiku today, wooden statues are gradually escaping from the community space to become products that tourists are interested in, including miniature statue models. Artisan Ksor Van (Kep village, Dong Da ward) shared about this change: "In the past, artisans sculpted statues according to their mood, but today, they sculpt statues to meet the needs of tourism development. But this profession is fading away, so we want to pass on the profession and build clubs in the villages." Artisan Ro Cham Vet (in the same village) also hopes that if we connect this village with that village and diversify products to bring about a livelihood, we will not only maintain but also revive the statue carving profession.

Necessary steps

At the seminar on the topic "Building artisan profiles to establish a folk wood carving club to develop community tourism, enhance sustainable livelihoods for the Jrai ethnic community in Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province" recently organized by the Institute of Ethnology and Religious Studies in coordination with the Provincial Literature and Arts Association, delegates and artisans also discussed many contents including: Current status of the Jrai folk wood carving artisans; challenges, difficulties and wishes of the Jrai people in preserving traditional handicrafts.

Opinions also discussed the legal basis for the formation of clubs; the role of handicrafts in developing community tourism, enhancing sustainable livelihoods; building experiences in teaching, sharing knowledge, the quintessence and characteristics of folk wood carving to preserve and promote.

Folk wood carving is considered a unique cultural heritage. Photo: Lam Nguyen

Chairing the discussion, Dr. Nguyen Thai Binh - Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department affirmed: Jrai folk wood carving is a unique cultural heritage, expressing the spiritual depth, beliefs and aesthetics of the community. Sculptures associated with tombs, festivals, spiritual life... are vivid evidence of the unique identity of the Jrai people.

“Building a profile of artisans to establish a folk wood carving club is a necessary and urgent step to honor, recognize, and create conditions for artisans to continue to preserve and spread national cultural values. Not only does it build a space for exchange and career development, but it also opens up opportunities for community tourism development, creating sustainable livelihoods…” - Dr. Nguyen Thai Binh commented.

After many years of pursuing research on folk wooden statues, Master Hoang Thi Thanh Huong (Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department) pointed out the significant challenges in preserving and promoting the craft of folk wood carving. The latest statistics on the team of statue sculptors in villages in the province show that: the number of artisans aged 55 and over accounts for more than 70%; the group of artisans under 40 years old is very small (only 10%). Along with that, aesthetic tastes have changed; the young generation is not very interested in traditional crafts...

"However, that does not mean we do not actively support to create the best conditions for wooden statues to live long in folk life and continue to promote their value" - Master Hoang Thi Thanh Huong expressed her opinion.

The number of sculptors aged 55 and over accounts for more than 70%, which is a big challenge in preserving and conserving traditional crafts. Photo: Lam Nguyen

The practical ways of preservation that she proposed include: Proposing that the Institute of Social Sciences of the Central Highlands should build a website called “Central Highlands Folk Sculpture” to increase promotion; The Vietnam Folk Arts Association should propose more suitable criteria to be able to consider awarding the title of “Folk Artist” to a number of talented sculptors, in addition to having appropriate policies and regimes to encourage this team.

According to Master Hoang Thi Thanh Huong, while waiting for recognition from international organizations, the province needs to prepare a dossier to request recognition of folk wooden statues as Cultural Heritage. In particular, it is necessary to link sculpture activities and sculpture products with tourism activities. Specifically, it is necessary to establish traditional tourist villages or choose the strengths of each village to develop tourism industries (weaving, brocade weaving, statue carving...). Only when wooden statues become a commodity that can bring sustainable livelihoods to artisans, helping skilled artisans to make a living from their profession, can the traditional statue carving profession be preserved.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/xay-dung-ho-so-nghe-nhan-tac-tuong-gin-giu-trao-truyen-von-quy-post321458.html