VietNamNet Bridge – People say ‘All the best things take time but sometimes good things come to those by chance’.

Le Viet Thanh Huy has turned his passion for creating copper-wire art into a business.

Le Viet Thanh Huy, a ‘lucky’ guy born in 1988, has achieved good things by chance but he has also worked hard, devoting his time, effort and talents to make copper-wire accessories.

After graduating from HCMC University of Architecture, Huy decided to take a chance to bolster his learning with an MBA class and whilst waiting for his exam results, he came across the art of making accessories via copper-wires by fate.

“I used to dream of opening an architectural model home company when I was in university, but I am really absorbed in making wire art,” he said, adding that wire art started as a part-time hobby but now it is a part of his life thanks to his deep passion and rather good business flair.

Wire art is an art and craft, encompassing the sculpting and crafting of works of art using wire, in which people combine multiple strands, from just a few to hundreds or even thousands of individual wires. Techniques can be knitting, crocheting, weaving, braiding, twisting, wrapping, lace-making, sprang, and even basketry methods lend texture, strength and visual excitement to wire sculptures.

In his first days, Huy piloted his models on inox wire but he found it was tough and too big to make elegant and small details, so he turned to copper wire.

Wire sculptures can be made from man-made mesh and can be bent and formed with bare hands, pliers and jigs and hammers and molds. So, from long wire strings, Huy makes them into tiny, cute flowers, leaves, animal shapes for pendants, rings, necklaces, tiaras, and other wearable art.

“The interesting thing about making wire art is that there are no rules, no limits, no restrictions, so makers can freely use the wire to be creative depending on their mood, so each work is unique,” said Huy.

Wire sculptures designed with motion as an element, whether from hinge mechanisms or motor elements, is known as a ‘kinetic wire sculpture’, so each time a wire sculptor picks up a previously unapplied wire, or uses it in a new way, another form of wire sculpture has been invented. It is this exciting spirit of innovation which marks wire sculptures as a truly remarkable art form.

A handmade pendant made of copper-wire by Huy.

After some months of researching, learning and designing, Huy started to debut the first products with the brand name of THONGDALAT.design. Appearing firstly on Facebook, Huy’s products then appeared in fine art fairs, bookstores and souvenir shops. Now, armed with five members of staff, Huy has opened shops in Nha Trang, Dalat and Danang.

“I think this is a trend for the youngsters and I want to share the passion with all art enthusiasts because art is improvisation so the more people that make it, the more diverse products are,” said Huy, adding that each work will present its own style, talents and characteristic of artisans.

Every month, Huy opens classes for any enthusiasts keen to learn. “The passion nourishes people and this art can also support them by earning some money,” Huy said. However, the important thing is that the art requires producers to be patient, meticulousness and skillful.

Huy’s products, made of copper wire in harmony with crystal and stone, make some really cute accessories. Along with that, Huy also makes paintings.

Wire sculptures may be abstract or representational, decorative or functional, so artists can wire what they want from jewelry or furniture into human or animal forms.

“To me, each piece is a story, filled with meaning for those buying the art or those creating it. That is the attraction of art,” said Huy. Huy’s collection is named ‘Memory embrace’ based on his memories of love and friendships.

Source: SGT