Growing up with childhood memories of watching her father meticulously process each leaf, she early on came to appreciate the fragile and delicate beauty of leaf veins.
After more than 20 years pursuing painting and fashion design, she decided to return to the traditional craft to carry on the family tradition and to seek new directions for this unique material.
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Products made from leaf skeletons |
Creating a leaf skeleton requires both patience and precision. Leaves must be carefully selected. They must be mature, with clear veins and free from pests or disease. The leaves are then soaked so that the flesh naturally decomposes, after which they are gently brushed clean to reveal the skeleton structure. This is the most difficult stage because even a small mistake can tear the leaf. Next steps include bleaching, dyeing, hand-painting, and shaping, all done manually. Not every leaf turns out successfully. Many batches must be discarded and redone from the beginning.
Building on the foundation laid by her father, Nhu Nguyen has gone beyond traditional products, such as fans and expanded into hats, bags, lamps, and even fashion design. The patterns are inspired by folk culture, flowers, and traditional symbols of Hue. She pays special attention to preserving the natural structure of the leaves, creating delicate translucent effects that make each product a one-of-a-kind artwork.
She currently maintains a small home-based workshop with the participation of family members. Her father handles the leaf skeleton processing, her mother does the hand-painting and dyeing, while she is responsible for design and also takes part in the production stages. Each month, the workshop completes around 30 to 40 products, mainly serving art lovers, including those abroad.
Apart from production, she is also planning to organize workshops to introduce the craft to the community, especially young people.
Skilled hands transform leaves once considered worthless into artistic works. On this journey, Vo Thi Nhu Nguyen is not only inheriting but also renewing the craft of leaf skeleton art, preserving and spreading traditional values in a way that connects closely with modern life.
Translated by Chung Anh