Artists > Thien Tran
Thien is a Vietnamese lacquer artist, now living in Cambridgeshire having studied Architecture at the University of Nottingham.
Growing in an artistic family, she has always been fascinated by the mysterious quality of Vietnamese lacquer art, Son Mai, known for its complex layers under seemingly smooth and even surfaces, using urushi resin. Once integrated with materials like eggshell, seashell, gold and silver leaves it creates a unique piece of rich and layered art. Traditionally, prepared black boards are used as canvases, however, Thien experiments with natural timbers to create a more rustic aesthetic. Shapes are first routed into the wood, followed by eggshells -crushed and carefully inlaid- to define form. Colours are then mixed with resin and applied in many layers with sanding between each to maintain evenness whilst adding depth.
Thien finds this slow cumulative process allows for greater possibilities to explore and express her observations from nature.
