Urushi — Transforming the Ephemeral by Silvia Miklin

Urushi, the natural lacquer of Japan, has been used for centuries to protect, decorate and create objects. Obtained from the sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree, it is applied in successive thin layers that cure under controlled humidity, producing durable surfaces distinguished by their depth, texture and lustre.

In this exhibition, Austrian artist and art conservator Silvia Miklin explores the possibilities of urushi through fragile and ephemeral materials. Paper, jute, fruit peels and dried leaves acquire a new material presence through successive applications of natural lacquer, reinforcement with fibres and textiles, polishing and gilding.

The thirteen works, created between 2022 and 2025, reveal different approaches to the relationship between material and form. In some, urushi preserves and enhances the original surface of a natural object; in others, the kanshitsu technique allows new, independent forms to emerge from textile fibres and layers of lacquer.

The exhibition brings traditional Japanese craftsmanship into dialogue with contemporary experimentation in organic materials. It also raises questions about fragility, preservation and transformation: how can a material destined to deteriorate or be discarded acquire permanence, function and renewed aesthetic value?

Presented at Triton & Shell – Paper Art Hub, the exhibition is accompanied by a workshop led by the artist, introducing participants to the properties of urushi and fundamental stages of its application to paper objects.