E-magazine Touching the beauty of Central Highlands folk wood carvings

The sound of chisels and chisels awakens the quiet space at Lem Coffee. There, many people touch wood for the first time and let their emotions guide them under the guidance of artist Dinh Nhat Tan - a H're artist who has spent 15 years working with wood carving in the Central Highlands.

This activity was initiated and accompanied by Mr. Tan himself. On wooden boards measuring 20x20 cm, visitors can draw their favorite things: it could be flowers, eagles soaring in the sky or images of elephants with their caretakers and tamers… Then, visitors are guided to sculpt on wood.

Each chisel stroke and carving is accompanied by artist Dinh Nhat Tan. He shows how to hold the tool, maintain the harmonious block, so that from the rustic rough wood gradually emerges a work of art with the breath of life.

Artist Dinh Nhat Tan accompanied the artist throughout the process of completing the work. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

Many young people try their hand at wood carving for the first time. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

The work gradually takes shape with each chisel stroke. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

While cherishing each piece of wood, artist Dinh Nhat Tan slowly shared: Tay Nguyen wood carving has two sources. One source is spiritual, present in the world of tomb statues - where the souls and beliefs of our people are placed in eternity.

The other vein is more decorative, present on house pillars, stair handrails or familiar objects, beautifying daily life.

“Here, I only borrow the language of folk sculpture to help you get acquainted in the most rustic way. The most important thing is to put your soul and emotions into each carving, to tell your own story on each piece of wood,” Tan shared.

Mr. Y Sol ( Dak Lak province) was one of the first people to participate in the experience. He chose to sculpt an elephant with a tamer - an image that symbolizes Dak Lak and is also familiar in the daily life of his village.

Y Sol's father was an elephant tamer and caretaker, so in his memory, the image of the gentle animal and its devoted friend became familiar. Y Sol said: "Thanks to Mr. Tan, I can turn the ideas in my head into wood carvings. Each chisel stroke reminds me of my childhood in the village."

Wood carving tools. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

For Ms. Vo Thi Diem Huong (also from Dak Lak) trying her hand at wood carving for the first time, this was a challenging but also exciting journey.

From the initial clumsy chisel strokes to the fish’s gradually emerging shape, it took her almost a day to complete. “It was an experience that kept me imagining. The beauty of wood carving is both rustic and thought-provoking, making me want to learn more about the culture of the Central Highlands,” she shared.

A sculpture after completion. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

Choosing the image of an eagle flying under the sun, Mr. Dinh Dai Da (H're ethnic, Quang Ngai province) considers it a symbol of strength and perseverance. He shared: "Touching folk wood carvings, I can feel the perseverance of people. In return, I have moments of being completely immersed in the work, forgetting about time, only emotions and wood remain" - he said.

In the green pine forest space next to the "eyes of Pleiku", the wood carving workshop is like a quiet moment for participants to relax and listen to the dialogue between wood and their hearts.

Tourists experience wood carving among thousands of green pine trees next to the “pearl eye” of Bien Ho Lake. **Photo: Hoang Ngoc**

The basic class lasts only one day, enough for visitors to touch a unique slice of Central Highlands culture. For those who want to go further, artist Dinh Nhat Tan also opens an advanced class, bringing students into the world of folk art full of symbols.

Not only a creative experience, the workshops initiated by artist Dinh Nhat Tan are like connecting bridges to reach the pristine beauty of Central Highlands culture.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/cham-vao-ve-dep-dieu-khac-go-dan-gian-tay-nguyen-post565780.html