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.
The Magic of Natural Lacquer
The heart of sơn mài is son ta, the sap of the lacquer tree (Toxicodendron succedaneum), harvested from the forests of Phú Thọ province. This sap is prized for its high transparency and unique aging process: as it polymerizes, the lacquer becomes harder, clearer, and more vibrant with time, much like fine wine15. Unlike chemical lacquers, which offer instant gloss but little depth, natural lacquer’s beauty unfolds slowly, layer by layer, over months and even years.
The Canvas and the Foundation
Before painting begins, a special base called vóc is prepared—traditionally a wooden board layered with mixtures of lacquer, cotton, wood powder, and river silt. This process, often involving up to ten layers, protects the painting from insects, humidity, and warping, and provides a perfectly smooth surface for the art to come.
A Meticulously
Chaotic Process
Sơn mài is a subtractive art:
- The artist applies layers of coloured lacquer, each interwoven with precious materials—gold and silver leaf, eggshell, mother of pearl—each layer carefully dried, sanded, and polished.
- The true image is not painted directly, but revealed through the act of sanding, as hidden colours and textures rise to the surface.
- The process is unpredictable; even the artist cannot fully know what will emerge until the final polish.
This meticulous, months-long ritual requires not only artistic vision but scientific understanding—of chemistry, humidity, temperature, and time15. Vietnamese lacquer is softer and more transparent than its Japanese or Chinese cousins, allowing for greater depth and subtlety of colour, but demanding patience and skill15.
A Living Art
Sơn mài paintings do not reach their full beauty at completion. As the years pass, their colours brighten, their surfaces harden, and their depths become more luminous.
Each work continues to evolve, embodying the Japanese aesthetic of utsuroi—the beauty of impermanence and transformation.
Why Sơn Mài Matters
To encounter a true sơn mài painting is to witness the harmony of nature, craft, and time. It is a testament to the resilience of tradition and the boundless possibilities of innovation. In a world of instant results, sơn mài reminds us of the quiet power of patience, and the enduring value of what is made with care.