Meet someone who doesn’t let the leaves fall… to the root, creating a unique profession in Ninh Binh

From accidental discovery to unique works

Currently, many people are familiar with paintings such as oil painting, paper painting, mosaic… but in Ninh Binh city (Ninh Binh province) many people are also known for the line of paintings from leaves The very unique and valuable Bodhi tree was created by Mr. Hoang Thanh Phuong (born in 1984, from Ninh Binh province) in recent years.

Recounting the “predestined relationship” that came with the idea of ​​​​making a picture with Bodhi leaves, Phuong said that in 2018, when he saw the Bodhi leaves falling on the lake, and the image of Buddhists coming to India to visit the The Bodhi leaf came back, so he came up with the idea to create works from the Bodhi leaf.

Mr. Hoang Thanh Phuong – The owner of the Western Bodhi gallery tinkers and creates works from Bodhi leaves.

Thinking is doing, he started to collect, pick up the leaves to research and create. However, to separate all the chlorophyll in the leaf and keep the leaf can be preserved for a long time is not a simple problem. He himself also tried many times and failed.

The leaves have had all the pulp (chlorophyll) removed, leaving only the veins.

After a few months, from the chemical knowledge of a friend, Vu Trung Duc, he devised a method to soak the leaves with clear lime water.

After about 2-3 months of soaking in lime water, the chlorophyll in the leaves will be decomposed, the rest will be cleaned by workers with a soft brush.

To increase durability, the veins of the leaves will be coated with emulsion mixed with turmeric powder to create a golden color

Small products are hung to decorate the car.

When only the veins of the leaves are left, they will be dried in the sun lightly. Next will come the stage of removing the torn leaves, sorting the leaves by size and then transferring them to the artisans to create.

In order for the product to be durable over time, each leaf will be covered with a layer of emulsion paint and turmeric powder to create a golden shine for the leaf, before being transferred to a complete artifact.

Under the skillful hands of artisans, very unique and creative works were born.

After about 4 months since the idea, the first products from Bodhi leaves were born. “At that time, we made products to serve our own hobbies, some products were made into decorations for loved ones to hang on cars, to put behind phone cases… instead of thinking about it. business”, Mr. Phuong said.

After a short time being accepted by many acquaintances, Phuong realized the potential of this leaf, so he decided to use Bodhi leaf to create works of art that reach many people.

Making a large painting takes months.

Very soon, products with many sizes and designs, from small products costing a few hundred thousand to elaborate products worth up to nearly 100 million VND were created and sold on the market. .

Remind people to be kind

Talking about why he chose only Bodhi leaves to make paintings, Phuong said that there are many types of leaves that can be made into paintings. In Ninh Binh, where Buddhism is developed, the Bodhi tree – a tree associated with Buddhism. Buddha, when hanging the Bodhi leaf as a reminder for each person to cultivate their mind, cultivate their character, do good deeds, and avoid social evils.

Each leaf is meticulously attached to create a work.

With small works, each artist also takes a few days to perfect.

Luong Thanh Tung, an employee of the gallery, shared that on the occasion of July, August, every year, the members of Sinh Duoc cooperative will collect leaves from the trees, because this is the time when the leaves are growing. flat bread, thick leaf bones.

Moreover, the weather in Autumn is favorable for drying leaves, because it is too sunny, the leaves will dry, and when it is wet, the leaves will be moldy.

The image of General Vo Nguyen Giap was created on a Bodhi leaf.

Mr. Tung added that the gallery is working with a local cooperative to plant more Bodhi trees to collect leaves to make paintings, and at the same time help create a greener environment for the city.

Since the appearance of Bodhi painting products, it has also created more jobs for local workers with stable income. Thus, each leaf will not age and fall, but become works of art.

A large work worth over 30 million dong is made from tree bark, bodhi leaves and gilded Buddha image. Mr. Tung revealed that the gallery once sold the highest priced work of nearly 100 million dong.

The leaves are meticulously arranged into layers, creating depth for the picture.

Drying linden leaves is suitable for sunny weather, light wind.

A finished work must go through many stages in about 3 months.