Artist Y Lan and the journey of bringing Vietnamese sand art to the world

DNHN - Not only the creator of Vietnamese sand art, the entrepreneurial journey of Y Lan is also a source of inspiration for the younger generation, especially women.

Sand art is a unique and highly artistic form of creation. Artist Tran Thi Hoang Lan, commonly known as Y Lan, has made remarkable impressions not only in Vietnam but also worldwide.

Born in 1957 in Soc Trang province, Y Lan found her joy and passion in sand art in Phan Thiet City - Binh Thuan province, her husband's hometown. In 2001, during a trip to her husband's hometown, Y Lan discovered the marvels of natural sand and created unique and distinct sand paintings. That was also the time when Vietnamese sand art officially came into existence.

With her special talent and relentless effort, Y Lan has left remarkable marks in her career. In 2004, she made it into the Vietnam Record Book by discovering 33 unique sand colours. Four years later, she broke her record by discovering 81 sand colours, earning her a place in the Asian Record Book. Y Lan's sand paintings have become increasingly unique and sophisticated, bringing forth exceptional creations.

Y Lan has been highly regarded when receiving invitations to perform sand art at various events in Japan. Notably, she was once invited by the Mayor of Japan to perform, which was a great honour for this sand artist.

The influence of Y Lan's sand art has transcended national borders and become an international art form. She has had the opportunity to exhibit her works in many countries and the embassies of foreign nations in Vietnam. These exhibitions are not only a chance for her to showcase her creativity but also an opportunity to share the unique sand art, deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, with international audiences.

With these remarkable achievements, Y Lan has garnered love and recognition from the public, not only in Japan but also worldwide. Her contributions have touched the hearts of art lovers and become a source of inspiration for many others, contributing to the creation of a unique and proud artistic heritage for Vietnam.

Despite not receiving formal art education, Y Lan has become a sand artist thanks to her innate talent and rich imagination. For Y Lan, each sand painting is an artwork with its soul and voice. It is the result of meticulousness, creativity, and the sensitive soul of an artist.

With its uniqueness and novelty, Y Lan's sand art was chosen as the logo for APEC and presented to the Ministers attending the APEC Conference in Ho Chi Minh City in early 2006. Additionally, Y Lan's sand art was selected to create 21 portraits of APEC economic leaders participating in the Summit Conference in Hanoi at the end of 2006.

Currently, Y Lan's sand art has expanded into various forms, including landscapes, calligraphy, logos, distinctive architecture, art, religion, and particularly portraits, which are the most challenging but also highly lifelike and realistic.

To this day, artist Y Lan has accumulated an admirable collection of over 3,000 sand paintings covering various subjects. Her sand art creations are not only beloved and collected within Vietnam but also popular in many countries around the world, such as Canada, Germany, the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

The reason she named her brand "Sand Art Y Lan" is because, since childhood, Y Lan has been taught by her mother and grandmother that everything we do must have meaning, have ideas. Y Lan chose the word "ý" (meaning "meaning" in Vietnamese) to name her brand. This also reflects the creative spirit and passion she devotes to art.

To promote the diversity and attractiveness of Vietnam's tourism industry and provide opportunities for art lovers to explore and create their sand artworks, Y Lan's Sand Art Company has implemented the "Sand Experience" model. In this model, the company uses natural, non-dyed sand and does not use adhesives in the process of creating sand paintings.

Y Lan's Sand Art Company has welcomed many groups of tourists from both domestic and international locations to participate in the "Sand Play" experience. These groups include students from schools in Ho Chi Minh City, female students from Haig Girls School (Singapore), as well as a delegation of doctors from India.

In addition to her artistic talent, Y Lan possesses a commendable philanthropic heart. She often organizes painting exhibitions and auctions to raise funds for charitable purposes. Through these activities, she has helped many people in need and collaborated with local authorities in various provinces and cities nationwide to raise funds for education and support victims of Agent Orange.

Y Lan's Sand Art Studio has also become a place to inspire and teach sand art skills to disabled children and those in difficult circumstances. Y Lan believes that the art of sand painting not only helps these children develop their creative abilities but also provides them with income and support for their families. By passing on this craft, Y Lan has created a special connection with these children, conveying love and encouragement to help them overcome challenges in life.

Through her charitable activities and skill-sharing, Y Lan is not only a talented sand artist but also an exemplary figure of compassion and social responsibility. Her contributions not only beautify the lives of the less fortunate but also spread joy, hope, and the desire for improvement throughout the surrounding community.

Today, although no longer the sole producer of sand paintings, Y Lan's sand art products are still beloved and collected by many customers both domestically and internationally.

The success of Y Lan serves as an inspiration for all young people, especially women, to believe that patience, creativity, and passion can lead to success in any field. Y Lan has firmly established her position in the art of sand painting and has become an admirable role model for young artists and women in Vietnam.

Xuan Cuong