Vietnamese man transforms lotus leaves into stunning artwork
Sunday, April 02, 2023, 12:03 GMT+7
With fresh lotus leaves as his medium, Lieu Truong Thai creates stunning paintings, wallets, purses, and other decorative items.
Thai, a 45-year-old resident of An Thoi Ward in Phu Quoc City off Kien Giang Province in southern Vietnam, has spent the past decade visiting Dong Thap Province to buy lotus leaves which he uses to create magnificent art, decorative lights, and accessories.
Though it took Thai quite a while to learn how to craft lotus leaves, he is now able to transform them into Buddhist pictures and depictions of Vietnam’s landscapes.
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| Lieu Truong Thai’s lotus leaf artwork is meticulous and sophisticated. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
“It takes a great deal of work and money to process lotus leaves until they reach fabric-like durability," Thai said.
"It is easy to fail during the process.
"Only about eight out of every 100 leaves wind up being useable.
"Each lotus leaf can be made into different textures and colors.
"I create my work in the hope of contributing to the diversification of souvenirs on Phu Quoc."
Thai’s lotus leaf-made art sells for VND350,000-50 million (US$15-2,130) each, while the prices of decorative lights, wallets, and purses range from a few hundred thousand dong to several million dong.
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| Lieu Truong Thai’s lotus leaf lights sell for prices ranging from a few hundred to several million dong each. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
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| Lieu Truong Thai’s lotus leaf wallets and purses feature fabric-like durability. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
Thai is currently studying earleaf acacia trees and working out how to use their branches to make handicraft products such as vases, pots, and wall tiles which he hopes to sell for VND400,000-VND5 million ($17-214) apiece.
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| In addition to products made of lotus leaves, Lieu Truong Thai also turns the branches of earleaf acacia trees and bamboo into tile-like products for decoration. Photo: Chi Cong / Tuoi Tre |
Pham Trung Hieu, a tourist from the Mekong Delta’s Ca Mau City, recently stumbled upon Thai’s work on a trip to Phu Quoc.
“[Thai’s] colorful lights, wallets, and purses are delicate and meticulous," Hieu remarked.
"I thought that they were made of fabric.
"They are so unique.
"It is nice to be able to visit a place like this in Phu Quoc to buy various gifts for family members and friends."
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