Nan Wei
Lacquerer
Kyoto, Japan
Dialogue across two traditions
- Nan reinterprets the shippi technique by combining leather and lacquer to create sculptural forms
- She unites a Chinese artistic foundation with Japanese lacquer practice
- She believes patience and process shape both craft and character
Nan Wei studied art and design at Beijing University and spent her third year as an exchange student at Saga University in Japan. Introduced to lacquer art and woodworking there, she went on to pursue both an MA and PhD in Japan. Working between Chinese and Japanese traditions has shaped her artistic approach. “My education in China gave me a strong foundation, while my practice in Japan taught me to value materials, details and the process itself,” she says. Nan specialises in kyushitsu, plain lacquer work, a Japanese practice that celebrates the beauty of lacquer as a material itself, rather than as a decorative surface technique, as she harnesses the traditional lacquered leather shippi technique to craft with leather and lacquer. Her works explore form, movement and the materials' natural qualities through a contemporary aesthetic.
INTERVIEW
My creative process begins with an impression from nature or the materials themselves. Rather than fixing every detail in advance, I let the leather and lacquer guide the work. The form gradually takes shape through time, movement and the making process. I enjoy discovering the unexpected forms that emerge through this dialogue with the materials.
Moving to Kyoto for my doctoral studies marked a turning point in my career. It was there that I developed my signature combination of lacquer and leather. Kyoto's vibrant art and craft scene gave me more opportunities to exhibit my work and reach a broader audience.
Through lacquer art, I came to embrace my introverted nature, which I had once tried to change. The patience, concentration and persistence the craft demands suit both my personality and my way of thinking. It has strengthened my belief that meaningful work can only be achieved through time and dedication.
I do not seek to convey a fixed message. Inspired by flowers, wind, water and other natural forms, I hope my work evokes a feeling or atmosphere, leaving space for each viewer to find their own connection. To me, the strongest works communicate through presence rather than explanation.
Nan Wei
Lacquerer
Kyoto, Japan
ADDRESS
Address upon request, Kyoto, Japan
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
LANGUAGES
Chinese, English, Japanese
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