Illuminated Essence – Vietnamese Lacquer Through Light | Illuminated Essence: Vietnamese Lacquer from Silence to Brilliance
by ARTREPUBLIK
On October 26, 2025 in Hanoi, in the warm space of the tamminh-light showroom, the talk show “Illuminated Essence – Vietnamese Lacquer Through Light | Shining Essence: Vietnamese Lacquer from Silence to Brilliance” took place as a dialogue between material, light and the artist’s soul. Under the guidance of journalist Truong Uyen Ly, artist Saeko Ando shared her journey of more than two decades of attachment to Vietnamese lacquer – a material that is both symbolic and contains philosophical depth about time and nature.
The setting for the talk “Illuminated Essence – Vietnamese Lacquer Through Light” on the art of lacquer by artist Saeko Ando (left) and journalist and moderator Trương Uyên Ly (right).
Vietnamese Lacquerware – From Heritage to Modernity
Before delving into personal stories, the discussion began with a foundational concept: “What is lacquer art?” Vietnamese lacquer art took shape in the early 20th century, when the French discovered lacquer—a natural resin characteristic of the tropics—and from there sparked a unique art form that blends painting with traditional craftsmanship.
Researcher Phạm Long has asserted that lacquer is not merely a medium, but a distinct language of Vietnamese culture: a fusion of nature, labor, and patience—something few other painting mediums can replicate. This tradition has been elevated by masters such as Nguyễn Gia Trí, who pioneered abstract and modern approaches to lacquer painting—viewing it as a means of expressing the inner self. For him, lacquer is a realm where light hides beneath the depths of darkness, creating a layered, mystical world.
Artist Saeko Ando presented her work and interacted with the audience.
Saeko Ando – A Journey of Self-Discovery in the Light of Vietnam
Saeko Ando's works are presented under the light of tamminh-light.
The setting for the talk “Illuminated Essence – Vietnamese Lacquer Through Light”.
Born in Japan, Saeko Ando never imagined she would become involved with lacquer art. In 1995, when she first set foot in Vietnam, she found her calling. “Vietnam is the first country that made me wish I had come sooner,” she shared. From a tourist, Saeko gradually became a devoted student captivated by the beauty of lacquer—a natural tree resin that dries slowly and reveals its true beauty only in the light.
In the early years of lacquer art in Vietnam, when the field was primarily commercial and geared toward the Eastern European market, Saeko began her apprenticeship with a passion for exploring the aesthetic depths of this medium. Overcoming language barriers, she learned through observation, absorbing knowledge from many artisans—notably painter Trinh Tuan, who introduced her to the world of lacquer. She later delved deeper into “raw lacquer”—the raw material that embodies the natural essence of lacquerware.
Saeko describes this as a journey of patience and attunement to the materials, which has helped her grasp not only the techniques but also the Vietnamese philosophy of harmony between art and nature. She sums it up: “I learned from my Vietnamese teachers not only how to use paint, but also how to view the world through a layer of paint.”
Lacquer Art in the Flow of Contemporary Art
Following the Đổi Mới era, Vietnamese art entered a new phase: artists began to reflect on themselves, expressing their emotions and inner selves more deeply, rather than merely pursuing postwar romantic themes. Lacquer art, traditionally rooted in heritage, was also redefined through a modern lens—where Eastern materials meet Western artistic sensibilities. Artists such as Thành Chương, Đinh Cường, and Trịnh Tuân became the bridge between these two worlds. Saeko Ando continues this tradition—combining the meticulousness of Vietnamese lacquer techniques with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities to create a distinct visual language: clear, multi-layered, and ever-changing with the light.
A limited-edition publication by artist Saeko Ando and tamminh-light.
Light – the soul of lacquer art
Mr. Peter Schmidt (left)—a representative of XAL Lighting, the company providing lighting equipment and solutions for the lacquer artworks—during the discussion “Illuminated Essence – Vietnamese Lacquer Through Light.”
A unique feature of the event at tamminh-light is the synergy between art and light. The showroom becomes an “emotional laboratory,” where visitors can directly experience the magical transformation of traditional lacquer under various lighting conditions. As natural light fades and tamminh-light’s artificial light beams spread across the canvas, each layer of paint begins to tell a different story. Light penetrates the material, reflects off it, and even reveals hidden images that are difficult for the naked eye to see—symbolizing Saeko’s own journey: from silence to brilliance.
Artist Saeko Ando discusses her new works in the Portals Collection.
The work from the Portals collection displayed during the talk is the clearest example of this. This piece is not merely a painting, but a gateway to the inner world—where light and time intertwine. Viewers are invited to step through a “gateway of light” and touch the pure essence of Vietnamese lacquer art: profound, enduring, and vibrant.
Artist Saeko Ando signed copies of her book for the audience after the event concluded.
“Illuminated Essence” is a convergence of two philosophies: the art of lacquer and the art of light. If lacquer requires darkness to mature, then light is what brings it to life. In the dialogue between Saeko Ando and Trương Uyên Ly, listeners sense a spirit that is both traditional and liberating. The art of lacquer, like light itself, never stands still.
Photo: Minh Ngọc
