Saeko Ando

Saeko Ando, a contemporary artist - lacquerist, merges traditional Vietnamese lacquer-craft skills and son mai painting techniques learned from past generations of lacquer masters with original methods she developed over decades of experimenting with Vietnam's natural lacquer.

Saeko's artworks seek to give physical form to the process of utsuroi, the impermanence of all things and the transience of Nature, by harnessing Vietnamese natural lacquer's characteristic for change over time.

Each one of her artwork is a one of a kind original son mai lacquer painting - a uniquely Vietnamese art form.

All of Saeko’s artworks are made with authentic natural lacquer sap from trees in Vietnam's Phu Tho province. Other typical materials employed in Saeko Ando's artworks include colour pigments, gold/silver leaf, eggshells, mother of pearl, wood powder, silt, and cotton fabric.

All her artworks come with Certificate of Authenticity.

Based in Vietnam since 1995, Japanese artist Saeko Ando studied Son Mai - Vietnam's traditional lacquer art - under the guidance of artist Trinh Tuan, lacquer master Doan Chi Trung, and lacquer artisan Lam Huu Chinh. In 2000, Saeko's mastery of this traditional art form led to her acceptance as the first foreign member of the Hanoi Art Association.

Saeko graduated from Waseda University in Tokyo in 1992 and holds a Japanese degree in Philosophy. She does research into lacquer art and shares her findings via lectures, conventions and symposia. 

2020
“Vietnamese Son Mai”, CHON Auction House, Hanoi, Vietnam

“COLLECT 2020”. Somerset House, London, U.K

“Asian Art in London 2020”, Gallery 8, London, U.K

2019
“Art in the Forest”, Flamingo Dai Lai Resort, Vinh Phuc, Vietnam

“Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Research Project in Shanghai”, Shanghai university, Shanghai, China

“Asian Art in London 2019”, Gallery 8, London, U.K

2018
Lacquer Friends of the World, Museum fürLackkunst, Munster, Germany

Asian Art in London 2018, Gallery 8, London, UK

The Voyage of the Art of Lacquer at Gallery SOIL, Hong Kong

2017
“Urushi Jewelry Vol.4”, Gallery Okariya, Tokyo, Japan

“Art Kaohsiung”, The PIER-2 ART CENTER, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

“Asian Art in London 2017”, Gallery 8, London, U.K

“Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Research Project in Bagan”, Lacquerware technology college, Bagan, Myanmar

2016
“Asian Art in London 2016”, Gallery 8, London, U.K

“Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Research Project in Hanoi”, The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi, Vietnam

“Masterpiece in London 2016”, South Grounds The Royal Hospital, London, U.K

“Asian Lacquer Craft Exchange Research Project in Chiang Mai”, Chiang Mai University Art Center, Chiang Mai...