Looking at Mother-of-Pearl Lacquerware

In conjunction with the special exhibition Mother-of-Pearl Lacquer ware from Korea, on view in the Tateuchi Gallery through October, the museum presents a symposium that delves into the mysterious qualities of mother-of-pearl shells and East Asian lacquer. Join us as professor and researcher Kyeongmi Joo Studies speaks on the art historical context of Korean mother-of-pearl lacquer ware. Conservators Herant Khanjian and Colleen O’Shea will talk specifically about the Korean mother-of-pearl lacquer objects that were conserved for this exhibition. Conservator Marianne Webb will provide an in-depth overview of East Asian lacquer conservation techniques, and artist and professor Sunhwa Kim of Buffalo State will talk about the uses of mother-of-pearl lacquer in contemporary East Asian art and the challenges she faces when working with these materials.

After the symposium, learn from mother-of-pearl lacquer artist Kwangwoo Bae as he demonstrates different techniques for inlaying mother-of-pearl.