Artwork created from recycled materials
In a small room on the fourth floor of Hao's home in Chi Dong Village, Quang Minh Commune, Ha Noi, Hao transforms seemingly unlikely materials into distinctive works of art. Using dotting tools for nail art, paint markers, empty ballpoint pens, curved surgical scissors, carving knives, and discarded soft drink cans, he creates embossed artworks ranging from calligraphy to portraits and landscapes.
Watching Hao meticulously complete a calligraphy artwork — carefully preparing the adhesive and canvas, applying the glue to each character, framing the piece and attaching every element with patience and precision — it became clear why he has achieved such success in this art form.
In Viet Nam and around the world, transforming discarded metal into works of art has become increasingly common, and even a growing trend. Aluminium beverage cans in particular are regarded as one of the most recyclable forms of packaging, according to representatives of the Can-to-Can Project — an initiative involving the Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Communication under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment — together with leading Vietnamese and Thai companies in aluminium can manufacturing and recycling.
While the Can-to-Can Project is dedicated to collecting and recycling used beverage cans to give them a new life as brand-new cans, Hao sees a different future for them. In his hands, discarded beverage cans are transformed into materials for creating works of art.
As part of the process, Hao first washes, dries, dismantles, and flattens used beverage cans. He then either sketches directly onto the aluminium or draws the design on paper before scanning it onto the metal. Because each can provides only a small surface, larger artworks must be carefully planned and assembled from multiple pieces. The next stage is to create the embossed effect using a set of nail-art dotting tools in various sizes, in a technique similar to traditional metalworking.
Hao has a simple embossing tool he had fashioned himself by bending a piece of hardened steel, before later discovering, by chance, his cousin's set of nail-art dotting tools. According to Hao, the most demanding part of the process is cutting the design to shape. Some characters and intricate curved details can take him an entire morning or afternoon to complete. He added that while thinner aluminium is relatively easy to cut, thicker cans require considerably more time and effort.
Once the pieces have been cut, Hao carefully glues them onto a backing made of synthetic leather or paper. Most of his artworks feature the white reverse side of the aluminium cans, which stands out on a red or black background. Yet traces of the cans' original colours remain visible: the bright red from Coca-Cola cans becomes the lips of female portraits, while shades of blue and black are transformed into leaves in ink-wash landscapes, a style Hao hopes to explore further in the future.
A storyteller through recycled aluminium cans
Born in Ha Noi in 1987, Nguyen Dang Hao once enjoyed a quiet family life with his wife and two children. After graduating in computer technology from Phuc Yen Industrial Vocational School (now Phuc Yen Industrial College), he opened a small computer and mobile phone repair shop at home, earning a stable income. However, his life changed dramatically in 2022. After being diagnosed with tuberculosis and undergoing four operations within just six months, his health deteriorated severely. Complications from the surgery have left him unable to articulate his words clearly or speak for long. Whenever he tries, he quickly becomes exhausted, his hands and legs tremble, and he feels as though he is suffering from extreme hunger.
Becoming depressed about his health and feeling that he had become a burden on his wife, children, and parents, Hao often sought out quiet, secluded places to reflect on what lay ahead. Then, just over three months ago, he noticed an empty Coca-Cola can his 14-year-old daughter had thrown into the bin. Printed on it were the words “Recycle me”, prompting him to wonder how he could recycle discarded beverage cans for a new purpose. Interestingly, more than a decade earlier, he had watched an artist creating pictures from used drink cans in Phuc Yen Park, formerly in Vinh Phuc Province, and had even experimented. After all those years, Hao, a former computer and mobile phone technician, found himself returning to that passion.
After just over three months of tireless dedication, Hao had produced a remarkable collection of portrait, wildlife, calligraphy, and landscape artworks. His creations have genuinely surprised many people, including international friends who follow his social media.
Lauryn Roberts from Australia commented: “You are incredibly talented. Your work is both artistic and creative, and you deserve every like and share. I hope you’ll inspire many others.”
Andreas Sorg from Germany exclaimed: “The artworks you create are truly beautiful! Thank you so much for this inspiration!”
Do Tien Dung, from Vung Tau Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, said: “You have inspired others and created many remarkable and meaningful works of art.”
What is even more interesting is that many people who admire Hao's work have sent him boxes of beverage cans, giving him both something to drink and materials for his next creations.
The encouragement and support he has received have given Hao renewed motivation to rebuild his life, overcome the challenges of illness, and feel more optimistic and at ease in his creative work. In return, he is always happy to share his knowledge and techniques, teaching anyone who is interested in how to create the artworks, including people from abroad.
Discarded beverage cans have been given new life as works of art in Hao's hands. In much the same way, Hao has found a new path of his own that allows him to create, earn a living, and spread the message of green living and environmental protection.
