Lai Gao Mountain Art Memorial Hall Introduction
Mr. Lai Gao-Shan, the founder, has dedicated his life to the creation, research, and development of Taiwanese lacquer culture since childhood. Recognizing the importance of passing down and promoting traditional crafts, he offers a collection of lacquer artifacts gathered over a lifetime for public viewing. The works in the museum are all creations by the Lai father and son since the 1940s, and due to continuous research on lacquer techniques and materials, the collection is extremely rich. It can be roughly divided into areas for lacquer paintings, masks, lacquer pottery, various techniques, daily necessities, and material/tool displays. Visitors will be impressed by the 36 steps of lacquer craftsmanship, the valuable piled lacquer vases, and the unique skill of the Lai father and son known as "carved lacquer." The museum also showcases the latest creations in lacquer research, such as lacquer pianos and lacquer tables, along with the recently developed "Datun Lacquer Pottery" tableware by Mr. Lai Zuo-Ming in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs Council, which uniquely uses the imprinting method of attaching the leaves of the local Malayan grass from the Nantun Litao store area onto the lacquer surface. In the future, the museum will continue to focus on researching and promoting lacquer culture while also developing DIY simple creative experiences for visitors, in order to make lacquer culture more accessible to the general public. Mr. Lai Gao-Shan studied under Japanese master Yamazaki Ko and learned the sculpting techniques and lacquer arts that integrate Taiwanese imagery at the Taichung Craft School. In 2000, Lai Gao-Shan and his son Lai Zuo-Ming transformed their former lacquer factory and residence into the Taiwan Lacquer Culture Museum. Currently, the museum focuses on Mr. Lai Gao-Shan’s life, works, and the development of Taiwanese tree lacquer culture, aiming to promote Taichung's unique lacquer culture as a feature of Taiwan. Guided tours: ■ Yes □ No ■ Appointment required. Text and images provided by the Taichung City Government Bureau of Cultural Affairs.
