For the first time, the full collection of 12 ceramic boots created by the late People's Artisan Vu Thang is on show at an exhibition titled “The Bat Trang Ceramic Boots -An Inspiration from Italy”.

The ceramic shoe made by artisan Vu Thang from Bat Trang Village. Photo: Bat Trang Ceramic Museum

The exhibition, which is considered as “an invaluable legacy of contemporary Vietnamese art inspired by Italian fashion” will take place at Casa Italia, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi from April 10 until May 3.

According to the organizers, the powerful creativity, unique skills and delicate ceramic techniques of Artisan Vu Thang, one of only two People’s Artists of Bat Trang ceramic village, are exquisitely represented through the image of the boot embroiled with Vietnamese traditional motifs.

The highlight of the exhibition is a ceramic pair of shoes that was recognized by Guinness Vietnam in 2013 as the largest nationwide. The shoes are in 47.5 cm high,17 cm wide decorated with patterns of peach blossom. It also features some meticulous details made of copper. This sophisticated art work took the late artist six months to complete.

“Talented craftsmanship from a 700-year-old Vietnamese village and the unique taste for beauty and style of Italy, the “boot-shaped country”, have much in common in spite of their geographical distance: they are both expressions of people’s creativity and skillfulness and are deeply connected to each country’s traditions and cultural heritage,” they stated.

The late artist and his artwork. Photo: Bat Trang Ceramic Museum

The exhibition builds an artistic bridge between Vietnam and Italy: classical Vietnamese elements, such as ceramic motifs and enamel colors, blend with Italian elegance and style, thus making every ceramic work an extraordinary piece of art.

The event is jointly organized by the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi and the Hon Dat Viet Bat Trang Art Museum (Bat Trang Museum).

On this occasion, Bat Trang Ceramic Museum will also launch the website battrang.museum, a digital information platform about contemporary ceramic art in Vietnam in general, and Bat Trang traditional ceramic village, in particular.

Casa Italia is a space for initiatives in the fields of culture, economy, trade and bilateral relations between Italy and Vietnam, run by the Embassy of Italy in Hanoi.