Bringing Bien Hoa ceramics closer to the public

Through the skilled hands and creative vision of artisans, painters and visual artists, Bien Hoa ceramics are being reimagined in diverse forms that connect more closely with contemporary life.

The combination of traditional values, artistic theory and creative practice is helping bring ceramic art closer to the public while opening up new development opportunities for the craft in Dong Nai.

Some ceramic works on display at the 2026 Fine Arts Exhibition at Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts.

Traditional ceramics with a contemporary touch

The 2026 Fine Arts Exhibition, currently being held at Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts, has become a cultural gathering place attracting numerous artists, artisans and art lovers. The exhibition features 63 ceramic works by 44 artists from Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City, including several artists and painters who studied or worked at the college, such as Pham Cong Hoang, Nguyen Quang Hoang, Hoang Ngoc Hien, Nguyen Thi Dung, Hoang Minh Hai and Nguyen Van Binh.

Each ceramic work has its own distinctive beauty, yet a common feature is the contemporary spirit blended with the traditional materials and techniques of Bien Hoa ceramics. In the hands of skilled artists, ceramics have moved beyond ordinary household and decorative products to become independent works of art, conveying social themes, profound reflections on human life and high aesthetic value.

Painter Nguyen Quang Hoang, a member of the Fine Arts Department of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, brings fresh perspectives to audiences at the exhibition with ceramic paintings titled “Completing a Ritual” and “Conversation”. He has devoted considerable passion and creative effort to these works, which have previously been showcased at art venues both within and outside the city.

Hoang said: “After hundreds of years marked by historical ups and downs, Bien Hoa ceramics have maintained their enduring creative tradition. Alongside meeting the diverse needs of modern life, ceramics today have taken on a new artistic dimension. Through skilled craftsmanship and evolving aesthetic thinking, artists have infused ceramics with a contemporary spirit, creating new value for Dong Nai’s traditional ceramic art.”

One of the highlights of the 2026 Fine Arts Exhibition is the diversity of artistic expression and production techniques. Many artists have made extensive use of the material’s distinctive properties, applying multiple layers of glaze and allowing them to interact and transform during firing at temperatures of around 1,000 degrees Celsius. This process produces natural, irregular structures rich in artistic character, reflecting the individual styles of the artisans and painters. Most of the works are entirely handcrafted, requiring patience and a high level of skill.

Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts in Tran Bien Ward is showcasing works at the 2026 Fine Arts Exhibition, featuring artists, painters and ceramic artisans from Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City. The exhibition is open to residents, visitors, school pupils and students to view the exhibits and learn about ceramics through November 3.

Connecting artists with the next generation of creators

Beyond providing an opportunity to appreciate art, the exhibition also bridges the memories and creative aspirations of different generations of artists, pupils and students. Returning to her former school after many years in the profession, artisan Nguyen Thi Dung, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, is presenting her collection Garden of Happiness, highlighted by a lively ceramic elephant sculpture.

“This is the sixth time I have participated in a ceramics exhibition in Dong Nai. As a former student of Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts, bringing my work back to the college and meeting teachers, former classmates and current students is always a special joy. I hope these unique and innovative ceramic artworks will inspire viewers and convey positive energy,” Dung said.

From the perspective of arts management and networking, cooperation between professional arts associations and educational institutions is generating fresh momentum for the ceramics sector. Tran Thanh Nam, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, said Dong Nai has long been one of Vietnam’s localities renowned for its ceramic craft. Over generations, artists and painters have inherited this tradition while exploring new creative directions, transforming Bien Hoa ceramics from handicrafts into compelling works of art.

He emphasized: “Ceramic exchanges and exhibitions at Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts have created and continue to create opportunities for artists to share experience, inspire learners and broaden public access to art. Amid the development of cultural industries, promoting the value of traditional ceramics can also enhance product value, publicize the locality’s image and open up new development opportunities for the fine arts sector.”

Dr. Truong Duc Cuong, rector of Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts, said the exhibition was intended to give students more opportunities to learn directly from practitioners, observe techniques and material-handling methods, and understand artists’ creative approaches. These experiences help supplement their practical knowledge, encourage independent exploration, support the development of individual styles and nurture their appreciation of art.

“The exhibition space at the college also gives the public in Dong Nai an opportunity to engage more closely with ceramic art. Each work tells a story through clay, glaze and fire, while each artist offers a unique perspective on life. By bringing these works to a wider audience, Bien Hoa ceramics have greater opportunities to move beyond the production environment and become a more familiar part of community cultural life,” Dr. Cuong said.

By My Ny – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho