Clay, metal, cloisonné

Artisan Do Huu Triet, 51, was born and raised in Hue City. He is known as one of the pioneers in reviving the cloisonné art in Hue. Moreover, he is also among the leading figures in restoring traditional Vietnamese ceramics.

During a trip to Japan in 1997, he came across metal clay and recognized its potential for creating unique works of art. In 2007, he started researching and exploring this material.

With the conception that innovation and creativity are essential drivers of development in Vietnamese traditional arts, after many years of research and experimentation, in early 2024, Triet successfully developed Viet Kim Dieu, a material combining copper powder with clay. In his view, "Kim means metal, Dieu means ceramics, and Viet represents excellence and Vietnamese culture." Viet Kim Dieu not only possesses unique properties but also embodies the distinctive cultural and artistic spirit of Vietnam.

Viet Kim Dieu is a harmonious combination of clay and metal coated with a layer of  cloisonné enamel, enhancing the superiority of the product.  One of its remarkable features is its ability to be fired at a lower temperature than traditional ceramics. While traditional ceramics require temperatures up to 1,100°C, Viet Kim Dieu only needs to be fired at about 900°C using the fire reduction method. This makes the production process more efficient, energy-saving, and cost-effective.

When fired, Viet Kim Dieu produces works with a radiant metallic surface, the thing which is difficult to achieve with regular ceramics. Triet said, "When Cloisonné enamel is combined with Viet Kim Dieu, it creates a unique blend of colors not only visually stunning but also artistically valuable."

Today, cloisonné is not only used for decoration in cultural spaces and ancient royal architectures but has also been skillfully applied by Triet to everyday household items in a sophisticated, modern, and innovative way. According to customer feedback, these items are beautiful and durable over time.

Artisan Do Huu Triet and his works made from Viet Kim Dieu

At Do Huu Triet’s workshop, artworks crafted from Viet Kim Dieu are on display and leave a strong impression on viewers. He has created paintings and sculptures, including works like “Chuyen Phap Luan” (Turning Dharma Wheel), “Ngoi Den Co” (Ancient Temple), “Tu Kho Hanh” (Asceticism), “Nu Cuoi Nhan Gian” (Human Smile), etc. These pieces not only showcase creativity but also reflect the depth of Vietnamese culture and history.

With prices ranging from a few hundred thousand to several tens of million VND, depending on the size of the product, artworks made from Viet Kim Dieu have grabbed the attention of domestic artists and are gaining recognition in international markets.

New milepost marked

The emergence of Viet Kim Dieu has garnered public interest. Many artists have started to incorporate this material into their creations, producing unique and innovative pieces. Triet said that he is inviting renowned artists from Central Vietnam to join the Viet Kim Dieu project, including Nguyen Tan Tam, Dang Mau Tuu, Phan Van Thuy, and Tran Nam Long. An exhibition series showcasing this material is expected to be held in early 2025 in Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi.

Viet Kim Dieu embodies the unique cultural and artistic spirit of Vietnam

Painter Nguyen Tan Tam, a former teacher at Dong Khanh School (now Hai Ba Trung High School), voiced his hope for the potential of Viet Kim Dieu in connecting the past with the present, revitalizing the value of Vietnam’s cultural heritage through contemporary art. Mr. Tam commented, "I am very impressed and highly evaluate Viet Kim Dieu. It is a new and unique material that marks a new step forward in the creative journey of artisan Do Huu Triet. It needs to be spread and further developed to become one of the distinctive symbols of Vietnamese art. The harmonious combination of tradition and modernity in Viet Kim Dieu creates sustainable value and a special appeal."

From his initial success, artisan Do Huu Triet hopes that Viet Kim Dieu will become a renowned fine art ceramic line, not only in Vietnam but also worldwide. He believes that blending traditional and modern techniques will open up new opportunities for Vietnamese ceramic art.

Currently, Mr. Triet is building an additional kiln specifically designed to fire Viet Kim Dieu products using charcoal, producing works of higher quality and with a more radiant color compared to electric firing. “I always strive for my artworks to be impressive, integrating modern technologies while preserving their traditional essence,” said artisan Do Huu Triet.

Viet Kim Dieu, with its endless innovativeness and capability to create one-of-a-kind artworks, contributes to elevating Vietnamese ceramics on the global art map.