Tran Do is a renowned artisan in the Vietnamese ceramics community. Over the years, he has persistently infused his creations with unique characteristics that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam. For decades, every spring, Artisan Tran Do has created works featuring the zodiac animals. In 2024, the Year of the Dragon, dragon-themed pieces gradually took shape in his creative mind and then materialized through his skilled hands.

The exhibition "Dragon Symbols in Tran Do Ceramics" is the first of its kind to be held at Kien Trung Palace in the Hue Imperial City.

To successfully capture the essence of Vietnamese dragon motifs, Tran Do consulted with various museums and heritage conservation institutions, such as the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Conservation Center, and the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. These resources provided him with invaluable materials and access to artifacts and antiquities depicting the Vietnamese dragon through different historical periods. This extensive research enriched Tran Do's creative resources significantly. The most prominent pieces in Tran Do's dragon collection are inspired by the dragon motifs of the Nguyen Dynasty, characterized by their dynamic forms and intricate, vivid patterns.

Artisan Tran Do Shares Insights on the "Dragon Symbols in Tran Do Ceramics" Exhibition

At this exhibition, People’s Artisan Tran Do presents 56 dragon-themed works, most of which are inspired by dragon motifs embossed on the seals of the Nguyen Dynasty. Visitors to the ceramic display space of Artisan Tran Do have the opportunity to admire the pieces he has meticulously researched and crafted over several decades, driven by his profound passion for ceramics. The dragon artworks showcased here feature various forms, each striving to rise with aspirations and good fortune. These pieces offer viewers captivating and memorable moments through Tran Do’s ceramic artistry, reflecting the vitality of ancient patterns and motifs.

The splendid space of Kien Trung Palace enhances the beauty of People's Artisan Tran Do's dragon-themed ceramic artworks.

The exhibition attracted the attention of provincial leaders, related departments, scholars, and the media, who came to visit and admire the artworks. 

This is also the first exhibition to be held at Kien Trung Palace, a unique palace combining the majestic, imposing style of the Nguyen Dynasty with the modern touches of 20th-century Western architecture. The palace has recently been restored and opened for tourism during Tet Giap Thin 2024. It is also the venue for the Opening Ceremony of the Hue International Arts Festival Week 2024, titled "Eternal Splendor," taking place at 8:00 PM on June 7, 2024, and the program "Trinh Cong Son Dialogue - Love Found" at 7:30 PM on June 9, 2024.

The exhibition "Dragon Symbols in Tran Do's Ceramics" will be open to visitors until the end of June 2024.

Here are some images from the exhibition: