Japanning
2022
“The UK’s Covid-19 lockdown presented a perfect time to slow down, reflect and explore new mediums within my practice. I was intrigued by a craft called ‘japanning’, a 17th century European decorative technique that was developed to imitate Japanese lacquer. It is officially on the Heritage Crafts Association’s (HCA) red list of endangered crafts. I immediately felt that the time-consuming process contrasted perfectly with my fluent approach to drawing. 30 layers of pigmented shellac varnish is required to create the rich and reflective surface, and each piece is painted with gold size, gilded in a range of techniques with gold leaf and hand-painted with Indian ink. They shine in natural light, and glow mysteriously at night.” - Ottelien Huckin
Susanna Bathing, 32 x 45cm (framed), japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Elze and the Butterfly, 24 x 32cm (framed), japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Heloise Amongst the Hydrangea, 24 x 34cm (framed), japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Dido and the Starling, 24 x 32cm (framed), japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Eliza in the Meadow, 32 x 45cm (framed), japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - £1350
English Rose, 13 x 13cm (framed), japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Daphne and the Daffodils, 24 x 32cm (framed), japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Honeybees and Daffodils, 17 x 23cm (framed), japanning panel and gold leaf gilding - £400
Suzanne and the Sunflowers, 32 x 45cm, japanning panel and gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Sleeping Poppy, 32 x 45cm, japanning panel on gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Hydrangeas and Butterflies, 32 x 45cm, japanning panel with gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Rose and Bees, 17 x 23cm, japanning panel and gold leaf gilding - SOLD
Dahlia, 17 x 23cm, japanning panel and gold leaf gilding - SOLD