Thomas Yeung is a maker and conservator currently studying for a BA in Art Conservation at City & Guilds of London Art School. With QEST’s support, he will remain at City & Guilds to undertake a Master’s degree, focusing on complex lacquer objects through in-depth research into lacquer materials, techniques, and conservation practices.
Growing up in Hong Kong, Thomas brings a cross-cultural perspective to his work, drawing on both Eastern and Western traditions. His practice combines making and conserving, with extensive experience in urushi (Asian lacquer), kintsugi, Japanning, and gilding. His interest lies particularly in lacquer’s role as a medium of global exchange, a craft shaped by centuries of trade and adaptation. This fusion of tradition and innovation echoes Thomas’s own identity and fuels his ambition to develop new conservation methods and promote sustainability in the field.
Thomas aspires to become a leading specialist and educator in lacquer conservation, sharing his knowledge with the next generation. Through teaching and advocacy, he hopes to raise awareness of lacquer as both an artistic medium and a testament to cultural connection.
