Da Nang exhibition showcases Hue’s traditional enamel art
DNO - An exhibition introducing the traditional art of Hue enamelware recently took place at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum. The event offered visitors an opportunity to explore the heritage craft through displays, creative workshops and interactive activities.
Titled “Anh Lam” (Blue Enamel Light), the exhibition is organized by Multimedia Communications students from FPT University Da Nang as part of their “Cham Lam Duong Dai” (Contemporary Encounters with Enamel Art) project.
The initiative aims to bring Hue enamelware closer to the community through exhibitions, discussions and creative workshops.
The exhibition features four main zones: a display area, an interactive experience space, a screening room, and a photography and product introduction area.
At the display zone, visitors can learn about the history, production techniques, decorative motifs, colors and artistic characteristics of Hue enamelware through photographs, documentary materials and illustrative products.
The interactive area introduces participants to the basic features of the traditional art form and invites them to decorate products inspired by its distinctive colors and patterns.
The activity uses simplified creative methods and is not intended to reproduce the full traditional enamel-making process.
Meanwhile, the screening room presents visual materials on the history and production process of Hue enamelware, as well as efforts to preserve and promote its values.
The photography and product display area provides visitors with a space to capture memories and learn more about the project.
The program also includes a workshop titled “To Sac Men Lam” (Adding Color to Enamel) and a discussion themed “Hue Enamelware - Heritage Spirit and Contemporary Excellence”, both held at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum.
According to the organizers, the project seeks to encourage public interest in and understanding of Hue enamelware, particularly among young people.
The initiative aims to introduce a decorative art form closely associated with the royal court of the Nguyen Dynasty to a wider audience through accessible and engaging activities.
Hue enamelware is a form of decorative art in which colored enamel is applied to metal surfaces. It is closely associated with the decorative arts of the Nguyen Dynasty’s royal court.
Research documents indicate that the craft developed in Hue during the reign of King Minh Mang, with the establishment of the Phap Lam Tuong Cuc (Royal Enamel Workshop) in 1827 marking an important milestone in its history.
Hue enamelware was used to decorate royal architectural structures, including palaces, tombs and ancestral temples. It was also crafted into ceremonial objects, ritual utensils and decorative products, reflecting the refinement of artistic craftsmanship during the Nguyen Dynasty.
Through its combination of heritage displays and hands-on activities, the exhibition offers visitors an accessible introduction to this distinctive traditional art form while encouraging younger generations to take an interest in its preservation and contemporary relevance.