Traditional potters in Nghe An province, Vietnam

Description

With development traditional craftsmanship has gradually disappeared, replaced by automatic machines. This is true in the village of Tru Son in Nghe An Province, central Vietnam. Clay pots were handcrafted entirely by a turntable, a few small rags, and thin slices of bamboo. These old craftsmen were the last artisans to stick with this traditional profession.

National Geographic’s photo community – 20/10/2020

In the realm of visual storytelling, a splendid fine-art print emerges, showcasing a photograph that encapsulates the essence of Tru Son village in Nghe An Province, central Vietnam. The print unravels a narrative woven with the threads of tradition and the fading echoes of craftsmanship.

The focus of the image is a delicate dance of hands, weathered by time, skillfully shaping clay pots. In this village, a sanctuary of tradition, the craft of pottery perseveres through the touch of a turntable, a few modest rags, and slender slices of bamboo. These artifacts of manual dexterity evoke a poignant tribute to a fading era where hands, not machines, brought clay to life.

Tru Son’s last artisans, portrayed in this photographic marvel, emerge as guardians of a dwindling legacy. Each nuanced detail in the print speaks to a connection with a bygone era, where the tangible connection between artisan and material was profound. The print encapsulates the very spirit of resilience and dedication etched in the lines of these master craftsmen’s hands.

The photograph serves as a visual testament to the resilience of tradition, portraying the craft’s journey through the hands of these last practitioners. In an age of automation, the print invites contemplation on the irreplaceable value of manual artistry. It stands not just as an aesthetic marvel but as a historical document, preserving the tactile poetry of a village that refuses to let go of its artisanal roots.