process
t h e a r t o f s ơ n m à i
The Art of Son Mài :
Layers of Time and Light
In sơn mài, art is born not by adding, but by revealing—
Layer upon layer, the artist builds a secret world,
Only to sand it back, letting hidden colours and textures emerge like memories from the depths.
Vietnamese natural lacquer—son ta—transforms with time,
Growing ever more luminous, its transparency deepening,
Each painting a living microcosmos,
A tactile poem of patience, skill, and the quiet beauty of impermanence.
What is Son Mài?
Sơn mài is Vietnam’s distinctive lacquer painting technique, a young yet complex art form that emerged in the early 20th century. Its roots lie in ancient craft, but its spirit is ever-evolving—a fusion of tradition, innovation, and the artist’s own vision.
