Taiwan Today

The Fengyuan Museum of Lacquer Art in Taichung County is now holding an exhibition of works by lacquer artist Liang Chih-wei, centering on Liang's work integrating lacquer arts with metals and ceramics. Liang's technique in gilding first involves sprinkling metallic powder on top of a piece of unfired pottery. The item is then fired at a high temperature, after which Liang burnishes or etches out a drawing or pattern. Normally, natural lacquer cannot be used on pottery. However, Liang developed a secret method via which he is able to integrate porcelain and natural lacquer. Once he completes this process, he then fires the item in a kiln to a temperature of 1,280 degrees Celsius. Liang said it is not uncommon to fire pottery at a temperature of below 1,150 degrees Celsius. However, firing the item at a temperature of 1,280 degrees Celsius unleashes the process of vitrification. This makes it easier for the natural lacquer to affix itself to the ceramic object. At this exhibition, Liang will be displaying sake bottles that he made with his unique technique. Also on display is the work “Lion's Head,” which was short listed for an award in Ishikawa, Japan in a competition last year. This piece demonstrates a host of special lacquering techniques, and aims to replicate spots that are seen in the world of nature. Liang burnished this work in a special way to bring out the lacquer spots. To make it, he first created a clay form, and then applied layer after layer of cloth and then lacquer. Then he extracted the clay form, making the piece extremely light—“Lion's Head” weighs only several hundred grams. The exhibition of Liang's artwork will continue at the museum through April 28. (This article originally appeared March 3, 2010 in “The Liberty Times.”)