Photo: Thành Trung

Berlin Buddy Bear

Acrylic, raisin, fiberglass
39.4 x 23.6 x 13.8 inches | 100 × 60 × 35 cm

First Place, "45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam & Germany” Art Contest
Collection of the Embassy of Germany in Vietnam

This work explores the cultural connections between Vietnam and Germany—two nations with seemingly little in common, yet both share histories of reunification after periods of division. This project uses ceramics to investigate these connections, drawing on the rich traditions of both cultures on the symbolic figure of the Buddy Bear. 

Vietnamese ceramics, with a history spanning thousands of years, reached their peak during the 14th-15th centuries, while European ceramics, including Germany's renowned Meissen porcelain, emerged through centuries of cultural exchange. The Buddy Bear, a global symbol of unity, tolerance, and friendship originating from Berlin, serves as a meaningful motif in this exploration. By examining, deconstructing, and intertwining ceramic motifs from both traditions, Xuân-Lam creates designs that seamlessly blend the two cultures' elements and imagine the possibilities of a deepened relationship between the two nations.

Designed by Xuân Lam © 2025

Designed by Xuân Lam © 2025