I visited the ‘Nát Giỏ Còn Bờ Tre’ exhibition by artist Trung Nghĩa. It was touching! To me, ‘Nát Giỏ Còn Bờ Tre’ is a powerful reminder that, even when things change or wear out, our roots and traditions stay strong. The bamboo used in the exhibition symbolizes this connection to our past and the strength that comes from it. It’s a beautiful way of showing how our culture and values remain with us, no matter what.
Trung Nghĩa brought memories from his hometown, Quảng Nam, where bamboo is used for everything, like woven floors, ceiling panels, and everyday items. His artworks reflected the simple, peaceful village life he grew up with. Myself, on the other hand, grew up in a city where bamboo groves were something I only saw in books, movies, and pictures. Because of that, it was hard for me to connect with the artworks installed in the gallery. BUT the story and message he shared throughout the exhibition were inspiring – it’s about finding traditional values → reimagining them → and giving them a place in modern life.
The most meaningful part of Trung Nghĩa’s exhibition, to me, was when he brought the elderly craftsmen to the opening, introducing them as one of the core values of his artwork. These gentlemen, with their deep understanding of bamboo, rattan, and natural materials from their village, are now retired. As the country has developed, their craft has slowly faded, and the younger generation no longer wishes to continue this tradition. Trung Nghĩa sees himself as a bridge, connecting these craftsmen and their traditional knowledge to the contemporary art world.
