Workshops & Education
Paper and Urushi: An Introduction to Japanese Natural Lacquer with Silvia Miklin
Urushi is Japan’s traditional natural lacquer, a precious material that has been used for centuries to protect and decorate objects. It is applied in successive, extremely thin layers, each of which requires time and controlled humidity conditions to cure.
During this three-hour workshop, participants will be introduced to the fundamental properties of urushi through a short presentation on the history, materials, tools and successive stages of this traditional technique.
As the complete process requires several days of preparation and intermediate curing times, Silvia Miklin will prepare objects at different stages in advance. This will allow each participant to gain practical experience of three characteristic stages of the process:
- applying the first layer of urushi, known as gatame, to a paper cup;
- applying lacquer with a brush to one side of a previously prepared paper plate;
- polishing a previously lacquered paper bowl.
Paper tableware produced by the Japanese company WASARA will be used during the workshop. Through its transformation, participants will discover how a lightweight and seemingly ephemeral material can become a durable and unique object through the application of urushi.
After the workshop, the objects will remain at Triton & Shell for at least one day in a specially prepared, humidity-controlled environment so that the lacquer can cure. Participants will be able to return during the following week to collect the three objects they worked on.
The fee includes all objects and materials, as well as the use of the necessary tools.
Important safety information
Natural urushi in its uncured state may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Appropriate protective equipment will be used during the workshop, and participants will be required to follow the instructor’s safety directions carefully.
📍 Triton & Shell – Paper Art Hub
16 Kolokotroni Street, Dafni 17235, Athens
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Instructor
Silvia Miklin
Silvia Miklin is a Vienna-based conservator and artist specialising in East Asian lacquer and urushi techniques. She studied conservation and restoration at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. During a two-year stay in Tokyo, she studied urushi techniques and conservation, kintsugi, and Japanese decorative techniques using metal powders.
She has worked as an independent conservator since 1990, specialising in metals and East Asian lacquer objects. Alongside her conservation practice, she creates original artworks by applying urushi to organic and unexpected surfaces, including paper, leaves, branches, roots and fruit peel. She has taught Japanese lacquer techniques and kintsugi at the University of Applied Arts Vienna and has offered related workshops at her studio since 2020.
Registration
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- Workshop
- Paper and Urushi: An Introduction to Japanese Natural Lacquer with Silvia Miklin
- Dates
- Price
- €120, including VAT
- Payment plan
- Single payment
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