Ceramic sea turtle exhibition calls for protection of marine environment

The installation art exhibition Phieu (Flow/Feeling) by artist Cao Thanh Tha kicked off on June 15 depicts the journey of sea turtles from birth, survival to adulthood, and their return to the place of birth to lay eggs and create new life.

In celebrating World Sea Turtle Day on June 16, and to raise awareness about marine biodiversity and turtle conservation, the exhibition is being held with the expert support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Vietnam and the Born to be Wild initiative.

Artist Cao Thanh Tha speaks at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Photos: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

Visitors were awestruck by the beauty and originality of the 1,001 hand-formed ceramic sea turtles.

The works are displayed in six art installations: Beautiful Ocean, Real Space, Future, Ocean Current, Undercurrent, and Return.

After touring the exhibition, visitors can participate in the "Save the Seal" activity by signing the giant turtle egg to show their solidarity with sea turtle conservation.

As part of the exhibit, visitors can also participate in hands-on activities such as painting, reading, and learning about sea turtles and the ocean.

Visitors are impressed by the uniqueness of the artworks.

Sculptor Cao Thanh Tha said the idea for the exhibition came after 12 days and nights of direct participation in the rescue and conservation of sea turtles on Con Dao Island. She has accompanied IUCN Vietnam in communication work on sea turtle conservation and the marine environment.

Artist Thanh Tha describes the show as an ode to creative sculpture and a forum for her to discuss the importance of creativity and art in everyday life.

"The exhibition aims to raise awareness about the protection of nature, wildlife, and biodiversity. It is also a place to spread the message of respect for nature, freedom, independence, and the differences of each person in society," said the artist.

According to the artist, sea turtles swim thousands of miles across the ocean during their long lives. They wait decades to return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs. Females can lay hundreds of eggs in a single nesting season, but few hatchlings survive beyond their first year of life. In addition to these significant natural challenges, sea turtles face many anthropogenic threats, including bycatch, trade, illegal consumption, and climate change.

The 1/1,000 survival rate says all about the adventurous nature of sea turtle life. And it is also the theme that sculptor Cao Thanh Tha chose for her first art exhibition. The number 1,001 includes 1,000 baby sea turtles and one adult female turtle returning to the place of her birth to continue creating a new life.

The exhibition runs until June 19 at 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.

The ceramic sea turtles are completely handcrafted.