The use of lacquer in the Eastern tradition dates 7,000 years back in time. The pieces finished with this material are an unquestionable sample of expertise, determination and leisurely work. Nothing is easy in the use of this compound, which is extracted manually from the lacquer tree (known as urishi). In the first place, it must be taken into account that the sap that emanates from this plant is toxic, which forces it to be handled with extreme care, and secondly because traditionally mercury pigments have been applied to this resinous base, which adds the risk of poisoning by this metal. But if something is surprising in this ancient technique is that it is still alive despite the proliferation of industrial systems that achieve a very close finish.

Wu Guanzhong, “Abedules blancos”, 1991

In Eastern culture, knowledge is an invaluable value whose transfer to future generations gives true meaning to wisdom and its preservation. For this reason, many contemporary authors experiment with the incorporation of classical lacquers in their works, giving rise to pieces that pay homage to tradition while building bridges to the future.

The Chinese Cultural Center hosts a showing of 43 pieces of artists that mix paint and lacquer, a representative sample of the current trend in the country to capture a wide diversity of artistic styles and expressive languages through the recovery and redefinition of this traditional technique.

At the same time, the exhibition allows strengthening connections with our country and fuelling a bilateral exchange that has remained alive since the emergence of the old silk route, which connected Xi’an with Tarragona.

The traditional Chinese lacquer lives a resurgence in the hands of contemporary creators, who have wanted to merge the historical legacy with the aesthetic concerns of the moment and give a new meaning to the painting.

At the most recent edition of Art Madrid, artist Luis Olaso (Bilbao, 1986), represented by Kur Art Gallery (San Sebastián), received the Residency Prize of the Art Madrid Patronage Program. This award, the result of a collaboration between Art Madrid, DOM Art Residence, and the Italian association ExtrArtis, enabled him to undertake an artistic residency in Sorrento (Italy) in August 2025.

Through initiatives like this, the fair reaffirms its support for contemporary creation—a commitment aimed at increasing artists’ visibility and strengthening art collecting through concrete actions such as acquisition prizes, recognition of emerging talents, and international residencies.

Artists in Residence. DOM & ExtrArtis. Image courtesy of Agata D’Esposito.

The DOM & ExtrArtis 2025 Residency Program took place in Sorrento from August 1 to 31, 2025. The artists lived together at Relais La Rupe, a 16th-century villa surrounded by cliffs and centuries-old gardens, which became an ideal setting for experimentation and exchange.

In this edition, residents worked around the theme “Reimagining Genius Loci”, an invitation to reflect on how the movement of people and traditions transforms the “spirit of place.” During the residency, DOM organized two public group exhibitions: the first to present the artists’ previous work, and the second to showcase the projects developed in Sorrento.

Work by Luis Olaso. DOM & ExtrArtis. Image courtesy of Agata D’Esposito.

Luis Olaso’s work moves between expressionist figuration and abstraction, always employing a pictorial language charged with strength and emotion. Initially self-taught, he later graduated in Fine Arts and has developed a solid international career, with exhibitions at venues including JD Malat (London) and Makasiini Contemporary (Turku, Finland), and participation in fairs such as Untitled Miami, Estampa, and Art Madrid itself.

His work is part of prestigious collections, including the Tokyo Contemporary Art Foundation, Fundación SIMCO, and the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, and has been recognized in competitions such as the Reina Sofía Prize for Painting and Sculpture and the Ibercaja Young Painting Prize.

In Sorrento, Olaso found a unique context to expand his pictorial research, engaging in dialogue with the Mediterranean landscape and the region’s historical heritage. The residency provided him with time, resources, and a framework for exchange with other international artists, fostering the production of new works that were later presented in the group exhibitions organized by DOM.

Luis Olaso working on his project. DOM & ExtrArtis. Image courtesy of DOM.

Luis Olaso’s experience at DOM Art Residence concluded with a public showcase of the works produced, reinforcing his presence on the international circuit and consolidating his position as one of the most prominent Basque artists on the contemporary scene.

Through initiatives such as this, Art Madrid demonstrates its active role as a platform for direct support of contemporary creation, creating opportunities for research, production, and intercultural dialogue that extend beyond the fair itself and accompany artists in their professional development.