Terracotta Sculpture Exhibition

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Opening: Sat 15 Jan, 5 pm Exhibition: 15 – 20 Jan 2011 Vietnam Fine Arts Museum

From Vietnam Fine Arts Museum: You are invited to attend the terracota sculpture exhibition “Buddha’s Dream” by Nguyen Tuan. From the artist’s statement: “…I suddenly could see Buddha’s image in the ordinary people awaiting at the bus stop or the labours waiting for work on the street. When I saw the little boy in my pottery studio during his intermittent sleep, I could see it as well as in the shape of the rural woman in the pottery village where I am working or in the smiling faces of brothers and friends that I love, having food together. I saw many beautiful things around me that I could not see clearly before. Everything came up in a sound and bright way. This was my inspiration for the following series of terracotta sculptures.”

Nguyen Tuan: “Fortunately, I was invited to participate in a small restoration project of the temple of Mount Yen Tu. My work exhibited is influenced from my impressions during this time. When I worked at Mount Yen Tu I heard the sound of the prayers and the the wooden bell, being struck by the monks. The clear mountain air smelled of incense. Working in this pure air with the buddhism atmosphere I suddenly thought about my life in the city and the chaotic meaningless of everyday life that is reflected by the versus of the nuns imprinted at the ancient temple of Non Nuoc: ‘Modern Life is like a chaotic game the deeper we look at it the more dirty it seems, evil thoughts are defeated by early pagoda bells the malevolent heart is being broken by the noon prayers.’ Reading over these lines, I feel clearly the boredom and tristesse in my soul and see that only the way in faith to Buddha shown by the nuns can lead to happiness. During my breaks at work I had time to listen to the monks, which lived there already for a long time explaining the meaning of life. I was able to feel the philosophy of Buddhism which I normally experienced only as a high and remote religion, but which is in fact within each individual, close to our hearts. When I left the pagoda and joined again the city life, I took with me the feeling of the land of the Buddhism, its images, and could see my world in a more peaceful and harmonious way. I suddenly could see Buddha’s image in the ordinary people awaiting at the bus stop or the labours waiting for work on the street. When I saw the little boy in my pottery studio during his intermittent sleep, I could see it as well as in the shape of the rural woman in the pottery village where I am working or in the smiling faces of brothers and friends that I love, having food together. I saw many beautiful things around me that I could not see clearly before. Everything came up in a sound and bright way. This was my inspiration for the following series of terracotta sculptures.”