As one of the first people to bring the art of pencil craving to Da Nang, and Viet Nam at large, over the past decade, teacher of Maths Duong Van Kien from the Son Tra District –based Hoang Hoa Tham Senior High School has created thousands of unique pencil sculptures highly appreciated by domestic and foreign artisans. 

Teacher of Maths Duong Van Kien from the Son Tra District –based Hoang Hoa Tham Senior High School has one of the first people to bring the art of pencil craving to Da Nang.

More than 10 years ago, by chance seeing eye-catching pencil craving works available in the internet, Kien fell in love with this art form requiring high dexterity skills.

At first, the teacher used a paper cutter to carve simple works as gifts for his relatives and friends, and as small rewards for students with good academic achievements.

At that time, Kien’s works were simply engraved with words. Later, he created sculpted works with the shapes of chains, dragons and phoenixes.

Over the past time, his products, full of creativity, have been highly appreciated by domestic and foreign pencil cravers.

It usually takes Kien from a few hours to several days to make a carving work. With ‘brainchild’ requiring high skills, Mr. Kien must spend 1 - 2 weeks completing the task. 

To date, his collection has comprised about 2,000 pencil sculptures. There are more than hundred models of chains made from pencils alone, each with a different type of chain motif. Once completed, the works are covered with a layer of anti-mold varnish.

Kien's strong passion for pencil carving has inspired many generations of students. Given the fact that many of them show their interest in learning more about this art form, the talented teacher has established a pencil sculpting club. Over the past 2 years, due to the complicated COVID-19 situation, the club has operated in a virtual form.

Kien fell in love with the art form of pencil craving more than 10 years ago when he saw eye-catching pencil craving works available in the internet.

At first, Kien used a paper cutter to carve simple works as gifts for his relatives, friends and pupils.

Later, Kien created sculpted works with the shapes of chains, dragons and phoenixes.

Once Kien accidentally discovered a recycled pencil made from wood pulp and glue that can be bent when burned on a blue fire, Mr. Kien cherished the idea of sculpting ‘mascots’ from pencils.

To make sculpting convenient, Kien made his own set of tools depending on the needs of carving.

It usually takes Kien from a few hours to several days to make a carving work. With ‘brainchild’ requiring high skills, Mr. Kien must spend 1 - 2 weeks completing the task.

Here is a pencil in the shape of the ‘Rong’ (Dragon) Bridge.

The finished work is carefully preserved in each plastic box by the teacher.

The work of carving 2 chains from a pencil core - one of the works that Kien spent much time making it.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by A.THU