Today at 6 p.m., the NIU Art Museum will have a curator’s talk with Catherine Raymond in Altgeld Hall for the Legacy in Lacquer: A Living Art From Burma show.

The show, in the North Gallery, has an selection of Burmese art of all shapes, sizes and eras, and has pieces that range from pottery to instruments. The theme of lacquer in art is very under appreciated, and it goes without saying that all fans of art should at least stop by the exhibition, which has been up since August and will run through Oct. 2.

Lacquer is something that people may consider as a finishing product for these pieces, but this gallery really demonstrates how important it is in the actual creative process. Make sure to check out the Buddha pieces for a very interesting and impressive display on how lacquer not only solidifies the materials used, but really makes them look timeless. Hours could be spent looking closely at these pieces, and considerable time and effort are required to truly appreciate how hard these artists worked to make their art look as great as it still does today.

Old or new, these pieces represent a great artistic movement that is not exclusive to Southeast Asia, but the entire world. Pottery is a lost art form that should get more recognition, as it symbolizes the true level of dedication and skill that it takes to create a unique piece. Fans of anthropology and history should also have their interest piqued, as these sculptures all tell a story about what life was like in Southeast Asia and what the culture valued. The scope of the pieces was the most interesting part, as we see everyday items placed alongside objects of worship and ceremony. This differentiation of work demonstrates truly how important lacquer was, not only as an art form, but as an everyday tool in Burma. In a way, this shows the value that the Burmese put into everything they manufactured themselves.

This show is quite interesting and most certainly worth a viewing. The curator’s talk should be just as interesting. Head to Altgeld North Gallery to check out some art that is not only unique, but a labor of love that tells a story about the past, present and future of art.