Japanese artist Ando Saeko has spent almost 30 years dedicated to the art of lacquer and the traditional lacquer craft of Vietnam. Currently a member of the Hanoi Fine Arts Association, she is known for her contemporary approach to art, combining natural lacquer with Vietnamese techniques.

Japanese artist Ando Saeko has spent almost 30 years dedicated to the art of lacquer and the traditional lacquer craft of Vietnam. Currently a member of the Hanoi Fine Arts Association, she is known for her contemporary approach to art, combining natural lacquer with Vietnamese techniques.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, Ando Saeko recently held an exhibition of her works titled "Moon" at the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam in Hanoi. Vietnam Pictorial's reporter had the opportunity to speak with the artist about her research and creative process in Vietnamese lacquer painting.

Reporter: What made you decide to stay in Vietnam to live and work?

Ando Saeko: I came to Vietnam in 1995, and staying here for so long is partly because I am passionate about the materials of Vietnamese lacquer. Vietnam is also an ideal environment for my creative work. When I first came, I studied lacquer techniques in Hanoi, and I fell in love with Hanoi because it suited my lifestyle. But later, as Hanoi changed, the pace of life became faster, so I moved to Ho Chi Minh City. After two years, I moved to Hoi An, where I am now, because it is very peaceful here with a slow pace of life, which is suitable for my research and the creation of my lacquer paintings.

Reporter: Why are you passionate about Vietnamese lacquer art?

Ando Saeko: Vietnamese lacquer has unique and attractive features that no other country has. For example, in Japan, we are taught lacquer techniques that produce shiny and smooth products and do not allow any dust. But when I came to Vietnam to study lacquer techniques with Master Nguyen Chi Trung in a small house with quite a few insects, sometimes a beetle would land on the painting during the creative process, and I didn't know what to do. Master Nguyen Chi Trung laughed and said it was the pattern of nature. I found it strange, but the insect marks on the painting sometimes brought about some artistic ideas that the painter could not create. From then on, I painted in a relaxed manner and felt like there were many "insect artists" collaborating with me in the creation.

After studying Vietnamese lacquer and creating for nearly 30 years, I have discovered many new techniques. For example, Vietnamese artists not only use lacquer on canvas but also apply it on ceramics, wood, and woven bamboo. I not only use traditional methods but also use new techniques to fit modern art. My studio is not just a place where I paint; it is also like a laboratory where I can comfortably create my own techniques.

Artist Ando Saeko working in her studio in Hoi An. Photo: Ando Saeko’s Files

Artist Ando Saeko studies the technique with artisan Lam Huu Chinh. Photo: Ando Saeko’s Files 

Reporter: Where do you usually draw inspiration for your artworks?

Ando Saeko: Themes and inspiration always come from nature or sometimes accidentally, not within any framework. For example, you can see the works in the "Moon" exhibition that I created within six months in 2021 during the social distancing period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time I couldn't go back to Japan. I lived in Hoi An and saw the moon in the sky every day. Hoi An has no tall buildings, so every time I looked up, I saw the beautiful moon, so I created these works for the "Moon" exhibition to introduce to the public on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam. 

Reporter: Have you ever had difficulties during the creative process and wanted to give up and return to Japan?

Ando Saeko: Initially, when I came to Vietnam, I planned to study for a few years and then return to Japan. But year after year, I found that there were new techniques that I needed to learn more about. Like that, I feel that I have become a Vietnamese person without realizing it, to the point that sometimes when I return to Japan, I feel more like a foreigner touring in Japan.

Reporter: Have you had any exhibitions to promote this type of fine art of Vietnam to international artists?

 Ando Saeko: I have a community of lacquer enthusiasts from many countries in Asia and Europe, and we often have exchange activities, workshops, and exhibitions. In 2022, also at the Japan Cultural Exchange Center, I had an exhibition for other artists to come and see and experience the Vietnamese lacquer techniques.

Reporter: Thank you. 

Story: Ngan Ha        Photos: Khanh Long/VNP & Files

Translated by Hong Hanh