{"id":3755,"date":"2024-06-28T17:48:20","date_gmt":"2024-06-28T17:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/battrang.museum\/journal\/thus-by-fire-were-ceramics-made\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T16:18:51","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T09:18:51","slug":"thus-by-fire-were-ceramics-made","status":"publish","type":"journal","link":"https:\/\/battrang.museum\/en\/journal\/thus-by-fire-were-ceramics-made\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThus by fire were ceramics made!\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” css=”.vc_custom_1649751845526{background-image: url(http:\/\/battrang.museum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/j-headline-03.jpg?id=1501) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”48rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”3rem”][vc_empty_space height=”3rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

\u201cThus by fire were ceramics made!\u201d<\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”1rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”3rem”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-md-5 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\n

Or, perhaps, it is that terrible accident that had left that woman with little to lose composure over.<\/h4>\r\n

In the family album of Vu Duc Thang lies a photo that encapsulates a special memory of the late People\u2019s Artisan. That moment may have seemed like nothing more than a simple slice of the artist\u2019s life, it was still a constant recurrence on every lunar year\u2019s end. Captured in the photo was the Artist getting his hair dyed under the courtesy of his dear wife, a way for him to say \u2018In with the new, out with the old\u2019 after a long hard year, so to speak. Although the clarity in the visage of the old couple may have been costed by distance from which it was taken, radiating regardless were the deep care for the beloved life partner of the woman inside the picture. Just like the front yard in the background, coupled with mango-pines and Chinese banyans in the foreground, aged but never old be this sight of one\u2019s kins getting together under one\u2019s roof, and of the love that is always anew through thicks and thins of the matron and the patron of the family.<\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-2 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-offset-4 vc_col-xs-4″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_single_image image=”892″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\u201cIn every one of my returns before new year eves, this view had always warmed my heart the most.\u201d said the author of photograph, journalist Vu Khanh Tung – the only son of Vu Duc Thang, and the current director of Bat Trang Museum. Concurrently, Tung is also the photography director of Dep magazine, but ironically enough he could rarely ever be seen photographing his parents.\r\n\r\nHe could never anticipate this to be one of the last few photos he shot of his father. Two years later, on a winter afternoon in 2016, the founder of Vietnam\u2019s first private museum of Bat Trang ceramics tragically passed away, his life taken by an unexpected accident. The one to witness that tragedy was none other than his wife, Phung Thi Thinh, who then not only had to bear the sudden pain of losing her life partner, but also was left with his overwhelming unfinished legacy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1635415240768{padding-right: 2rem !important;padding-left: 2rem !important;}”][vc_column_text]\r\n

The museum stayed unfinished. The collection remains undone.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-2 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_empty_space height=”10rem”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Tung once confessed that he had concerns for his mother\u2019s well-being after what had transpired, but as it turns out he had severely underestimated Mrs. Thinh\u2019s mental fortitude.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI have once personally observed that strength of hers in one of my visits to the museum. One of our crew members while admiring what was on display accidentally broke a relatively large pot, which caused quite a stir among the group regarding the ramifications of the mishap.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-6 vc_col-xs-8″][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][vc_empty_space height=”4rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][vc_single_image image=”1486″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″ offset=”vc_col-md-2 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-3″][vc_single_image image=”902″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”14rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]Funnily enough, Mrs. Thinh, who should be the most bothered by this unfortunate event, actually was the calmest. She was quick to the cleanup and equally quick to reassure us culprits, perhaps because she is already too well accustomed to this kind of shenanigans thanks to her years in the profession catering to hundreds of visitors. Or, perhaps, it is that terrible accident that had left that woman with little to lose composure over. It took Mrs. Thinh days of being almost bedridden to muster the strength needed to work through her grief and take care of her husband\u2019s unfinished affairs, which include his funeral and the continuation of his life’s work. These were no easy tasks, yet her circumstances at the time could not have been favorable either. The family business lost its figurehead, her children were unwilling to follow her and her husband\u2019s footsteps, the number of visitors and commissions were plummeting and many of the workshop\u2019s senior craftsmen were inclined to quit.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][vc_single_image image=”4011″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”4rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section el_class=”.grid-collection”][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]After all, it takes nerves of steel to be the wife of the renowned \u201cplayboy\u201d antique collector Vu Duc Thang. \u201cThere were times when we were borderline destitute, typically because our production chains needed to be reformed, and yet he still went out of his way to borrow 3000 USD from his friends to buy a mango-pine on a whim\u2026 But boldest of all, I think, has got to be the time when he decided to apply for a mortgage on our home to rebuild the 300 year old war-torn communal house of Bat Trang\u2026\u201d – Mrs. Thinh retelled.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-2 vc_col-xs-8″][vc_single_image image=”900″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8rem”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\u201cDad had always been grateful to Mom for unwaveringly supporting his dreams and endevours without fail, even when they can be for naught\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\u201cPerhaps, it is from this steadfast supportiveness that Mom managed to learn Dad\u2019s boldness, especially when the moment calls for it\u2026Once familiar with the management of production, she has now taken over dad\u2019s jobs in working with all sorts of artisans, including painters, sculptors, firers and glaze makers. Not only that, she is also always willing to experiment with new things and take on the strangest of her son\u2019s commissions, from collaborating with actress\/designer Tran Nu YenKhe in designing high-end decor products, to creating the tulip vase for the film setting of Camellia Sisters\u2026 Just as Mom once fully supported Dad, she is now whole-heartedly supporting me, even if what we do doesn’t generate much profits\u2026\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n

Journalist V\u0169 Kh\u00e1nh T\u00f9ng said.<\/span><\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]Not a lot of people thought she could do it, but little by little, she\u2019s setting new records of her own. Dad has his fair share of feats, and so does Mom, even when what she does isn\u2019t getting much recognition.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-2 vc_col-xs-8″][vc_single_image image=”1492″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]Instead of being the one to be reassured, it is Mom who is always readily encouraging her children: \u201cAlthough I should be able to retire by now, your father\u2019s work is still left undone, so you and I should finish it together. If our circumstances don\u2019t allow us to do it quickly, we can do it slowly and steadily, as long we can find joy in what we are doing\u2026\u201d. Before any major decision, she always says: \u201cIf we could do that, your father would really be happy\u2026\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”bottom”][vc_column width=”1\/6″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-5″][vc_single_image image=”907″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”1rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-3 vc_col-md-6 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-1 vc_col-xs-10″ css=”.vc_custom_1635932502899{padding-right: 2rem !important;padding-left: 2rem !important;}” el_class=”no-indent”][vc_column_text]\r\n

And \u201cThat\u201d means preserving the uniqueness found only in the ceramic brand of the late People\u2019s Artisan Vu Duc Thang, and maintaining his force of attraction, even when he\u2019s no longer here with us. Ultimately, it means the complete construction of B\u00e1t Tr\u00e0ng Museum of Viet Soul Art, including its digitized version.<\/span><\/h3>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”8rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md vc_hidden-sm”][vc_empty_space height=”4rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”bottom”][vc_column width=”5\/12″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-1″][vc_single_image image=”1524″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/12″][vc_single_image image=”1496″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”2rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-2″][vc_column_text]\r\nAs of now, more than five years has gone by since the passing of the People\u2019s Artisan, and, with the support of her children, Mrs. Thinh\u2019s efforts have been gradually coming to fruition. Designed by the accredited architect Tran Quoc Khoi Nguyen, Bat Trang Museum is about to be built on an area of nearly 1000 sq.m as the first private ceramics museum of the famed Bat Trang craft village. In addition, the website battrang.museum had been launched as a digital information hub for all things related to both the contemporary ceramic art of Vietnam and the ceramic traditions of Bat Trang.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn celebration of the website\u2019s launch, an art exhibition titled \u2018The Bat Trang Ceramic Boots \u2013 An Inspiration from Italy\u2019 is taking place at Casa Italia, Hanoi; which will, for the very first time, introduce the public to the collection of 12 ceramic boots meticulously created by the one and only Vu Duc Thang himself, through which his powerful creativity, unique set of skills and delicate ceramic techniques are exquisitely represented.\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”4rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-3 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-offset-2 vc_col-xs-8″][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_single_image image=”1498″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-1 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-2 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_empty_space height=”2rem”][vc_column_text]Mrs. Thinh herself has never been to Italy, nor has she ever tried on the ceramic boots her husband made. The furthest this countryside girl has traveled for sure was her journey with her crafty husband through life, and the shoes that she best fills in have got to be the ones of her other half, to which he was ever so dedicated once. By sheer chance of fate, they not only managed grow old together, but they also got stay young together; the shape of their everlasting youth is that of shared dreams and passions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n

Words: Th\u1ee7y L\u00ea<\/strong>\r\nEnglish Translation: T\u1ed1ng M\u1ea1nh<\/strong>\r\nTHANH NI\u00caN<\/strong> magazine 8\/3\/2022<\/p>\r\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”6rem”][vc_empty_space height=”6rem” el_class=”hide-mobile”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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Four Women Designers in Dialogue with Ceramic Heritage<\/h4>\n \n\t
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