about
s a e k o a n d o
about Saeko
Based in Vietnam since 1995, Japanese artist Saeko Ando studied son mai lacquer painting – a genre born in Vietnam in the early 20th century – and Vietnam’s ancient craft of using son ta natural lacquer 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.
In a career spanning nearly three decades, Saeko has gained international renown as a contemporary artist who merges traditional Vietnamese lacquer-craft skills and son mai painting techniques learned from past generations of lacquer masters with original methods she developed through decades of experimentation. Zen philosophy, a devotion to nature, and the influence of Japanese aesthetics are all evident in Saeko’s works.
Born in Japan in 1968, Saeko graduated from Waseda University in Tokyo in 1992 and holds a degree in Philosophy. She is also known as a researcher in the field of natural lacquer and shares her findings via lectures, conventions, and symposia in the international arena.
Saeko Ando lives and works in Hoi An in Central Vietnam, a destination well-known for its beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. In this scenic region, the energies of the rice paddies, rivers, and ocean fuel Saeko’s creative endeavors.
“Painting son mai is my way to set myself free and link with the universe. That is the most calm, joyful, and energizing feeling. For this reason, the creative process has been more important to me than my finished works.”
~ Saeko Ando