Ekkehard ALTENBURGER, a German-born artist, was professor of sculpture at Hong Kong Baptist University, and is now based in Tokyo. Over the last few years, he has immersed himself in the study of traditional Vietnamese lacquer painting under Hanoi artist Đinh Ý Kien. His interest in lacquer art is deeply rooted in his background in sculpture and visual arts. 

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Altenburger, who began his career as a stonemason before studying sculpture, believes that lacquer painting shares similarities with sculpture, particularly in matte lacquer works, where colors like "eggshell" and "silver" are derived from natural materials rather than traditional paints. 

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During his initial learning phase, Altenburger encountered challenges in mastering the unique characteristics of Vietnamese lacquer (sơn ta), including the intricate processes of painting, curing, and polishing. He also navigated the critical influences of humidity and weather, which often led to unpredictable changes in color, brightness, and surface effects - creating unexpected surprises that further intrigued him. 

赤木明登 日本漆藝 工藝品