Meet art doll artist from Vietnam, Tran Thu Hang.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I was born and live in Hanoi.  In my mind, my city is something in between a rich history and chaotically transforming the present. It still hides its elegant charm beneath the flashy makeup that people tried to put on it.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

I’ve lived long enough here to feel like I’m part of this city. Like a relative, Hanoi gave me its love.  But the city is transforming fast, it also gave me its mess and pressure.  That love and confusion inspired me to create art.

That love and confusion inspired me to create art.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

tolerance, equanimity, alone

How did you start your career in art?

I have decided to become a painter since I was a kid.  When I was in the second year of the art university, I struggled to find my own identity in art.  And for the past 13 years, dolls remain the primary ‘medium’ for my art.

I have decided to become a painter since I was a kid. When I was in the second year of the art university, I struggled to find my own identity in art. And for the past 13 years, dolls remain the primary ‘medium’ for my art.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

My family has always supported and had the orientation and prepared me to art school.  My husband is also an artist, so the support of people around me for my artistic path is absolute.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

As my purpose of making art is being naturalness, I also do not want to put emphasis on particular career goals. However, the type of art I follow (art dolls) requires a lot of skill, commitment, and meticulousness, so far I am the first and only professional artist to work in that field in Vietnam.

As my purpose of making art is being naturalness, I also do not want to put emphasis on particular career goals.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

How would you describe the women around you?

Feminine, inner depth, inspirational, unique.

Feminine, inner depth, inspirational, unique.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

One of them is my mother.  She is a theater actress. She inspired my childhood quite a lot because of her unique personality.  When I became more aware of it, I realized that everyone has their own uniqueness, and I focus on developing my personal identity.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Working in sculpture, whether large or small works are hard for women in general.  In exchange for good work, it’s your scratched, scarred hands and sometimes you are overwhelmed.  But don’t worry so much, your passion and instinctive need for art will finally help you get through it all.

Whatever the art form, the most important core values of the work is its idea and aesthetics.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Whatever the art form, the most important core values of the work is its idea and aesthetics.  So in my opinion, the artists should try their best in improving their thinking and aesthetics, to develop a personal identity in every of your work instead of becoming someone’s perfect copy.

Photos courtesy of  Tran Thu Hang