Hong Yidong 洪乙棟 was born in Shanxi, China, in 1983. Graduated from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, he obtained his Master’s Degree in mural painting and lacquer painting in 2009. Hong’s artistic practices consist of painting, sculpture and Qishan 漆繕. He is well versed in different lacquer art techniques such as the Xipi, Maki-e, inlays of shells and eggshell from traditional application to reinvention.
Traditional lacquer painting techniques are applied to decorate this wood-fired pottery. Every painting is unique on the small surface and reveals poetic scenery. Natural pigments, lacquer, and eggshells are used.
"The process of lacquer art creation is always full of surprises. The artwork is always covered until the final polishing. It is so mysterious and exciting as if I were a child digging a treasure."
"I enjoy being alone since my childhood. I am sensitive to the surroundings, and nature. It has become my back door to a secret garden and lacquer art is my key."
Lacquer Qishan Wood-fired Porcelain Teacup with Lacquer Painting by HONG Yidong
Originated from China, Qishan (Kintsugi in Japanese) is an art of mending broken ceramics, with natural lacquer, sap of the tree. The same technique can also be applied on repairing bamboo, wood or even jade. It involves some very tedious process, with a variety of lacquer techniques. So, it means much more than just mending with gold. Philosophically, it is an act of embracing the flawed or the imperfect.
