Moon Jae-pil is a distinguished artist celebrated for his innovative work in traditional lacquer art. Born in 1962 in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do, he embarked on his artistic journey in 1980, dedicating himself to the intricate techniques of wood lacquer. His commitment to preserving and evolving this ancient craft led to his designation as the 47th Intangible Cultural Heritage of Chungcheongnam-do in 2013 .
Over the years, Moon has held six solo exhibitions and participated in over 50 group and international exhibitions. A significant milestone in his career was his invitation to showcase his work at the National Museum of Sèvres in France in 2022, underscoring his global recognition . In 2023, he established the Moon Jae-pil Lacquer Art Museum in Nonsan, further cementing his dedication to the lacquer art community .
His work is a testament to patience, precision, and deep craftsmanship. At the heart of his practice is a meticulous and labor-intensive technique that reflects both artistic vision and traditional discipline.
Signature Technique:
Moon begins by repeatedly sketching until he finds the perfect curve that satisfies his artistic intent. Using that sketch, he carves the form out of wood. Over this structure, he applies layers of hemp cloth using a paste made from glutinous rice and lacquer. Once the hemp dries completely, he begins the lacquering process — a cycle that is repeated dozens of times to build up a smooth, solid foundation. Next, he cuts and applies pieces of mother-of-pearl one by one to create intricate patterns. After the inlay is complete, he continues to apply layer upon layer of lacquer, repeating the process until the surface is perfectly even. The final step is polishing: using a mixture of flour and soybean oil, he rubs the surface with cotton to bring out the shine. This is followed by a final delicate wipe with diluted lacquer. After four rounds of this polishing process, the work is considered complete.