Five Swedish designers have worked with artisans in Taiwan to explore different lacquer techniques, and presented their works in an exhibition –"A New Layer." The exhibition shows contemporary objects made with an ancient technique. Lacquer has been used in East Asia for over 7000 years and encompasses a variety of techniques and applications. The title "A New Layer" refers to how the lacquer is applied in several layers until the desired surface sheen occurs. Historically, China and Japan have been the primary regions for the development of the lacquer art form. Artisans have not only mastered a single method, but developed a variety of ways in which the coating is used, both as a functional and a decorative material. Despite the long history of craftsmanship, it is not tied to tradition but is constantly changing. Taiwan is a geographical and cultural crossroads for China and Japan but also a region with influences from Southeast Asia and Polynesia. This variegated culture is visible in Taiwan's craft traditions and has significantly colored the material that appears in "A New Layer." The exhibition shows a broad palette of materials such as ceramics, wood, metal, wicker bamboo, fabric, pearl and stone, all of it accompanied by lacquer work applied on the objects in various ways. "A New Layer" is a collaboration between the designers Carina Seth Andersson, Matti Klenell, Stina Löfgren, Gabriella Gustafson, Mattias Ståhlbom, National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI) and the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities.