Artist Profile Mai Văn Nhơn

Mai’s warm and disciplined craftsmanship conveys a poised, devotional stillness.

Artist Statement

There Is a Buddha in Us embodies Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh’s universal message of peace and healing. Crafted with thousands of hand-cut Bien Hoa ceramic pieces, fired at 1,200°C, this mosaic radiates serenity through earthy browns, golds, and the delicate pinks of four lotus flowers—symbols of enlightenment and spiritual renewal. The Zen Master’s meditative pose, with a hand on his chest, channels inner tranquility, while the blurred left side reflects Buddhist teachings of form and emptiness. Created in my Đồng Nai studio, this work merges Vietnam’s renowned Bien Hoa ceramic tradition with a modern PVC Foam base, bridging heritage and innovation. It invites viewers to embrace healing, find stillness, and connect with a timeless hope for peace and global harmony.

Artist Biography

Mai Văn Nhơn, a Vietnam-based artist born in Đồng Nai in 1960, specializes in portraits inspired by cultural and historical figures from Vietnam and beyond, creating evocative works through ceramic mosaic, oil painting, and acid etching. In 2010, Nhơn contributed a 50-meter ceramic mosaic to the record-breaking Red River mural, a 3.85km-long project recognized by Guinness. In 2017, the Vietnamese Government commissioned his 21-portrait mosaic collection of APEC leaders as national gifts, affirming his talent. Nhơn’s works, exhibited at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum (2017), Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum (2018), and on platforms like Artsy (2025), grace Vietnam’s National Assembly, churches, and private residences in various countries, spreading cultural values. Through his art, Nhơn bridges heritage and humanity, inviting viewers to connect with timeless stories.