Ivory Veil Ihe Ịchọ Mma by Xiaoge Zang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Ngwá Ụlọ Competition Category.

BronzNgwá Ụlọ· 2026

Ivory Veil Ihe Ịchọ Mma

by Xiaoge Zang

Client: BeiHang University

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Ngwá Ụlọ Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ivory Veil Ihe Ịchọ Mma

Ivory Veil bụ ihe ịchọ mma e ji ọla kọpa na lakwa sitere n'okike mee. Ọdịdị ya na-echetara ọdụ enyí a pịrị apị, ma ọ dịghị ihe sitere n'anụmanụ e ji mee ya. A na-akpụzi isi ọla kọpa, dozie ya ma tee ya ihe dị ka mkpuchi lakwa sitere n'okike dị mkpa iri ise na otu narị dị mkpe. Mgbe ọ kpọrọ nkụ, a na-apị n'elu ya atụmatụ nduru na ifuru peony ma hichaa ya ruo mgbe ọ dị nro. Ihe a dị sentimita iri asaa na otu n'ogologo, sentimita iri abụọ na atọ n'obosara na sentimita iri atọ na asatọ n'ịdị elu. Ivory Veil na-eji nka ọdịnala ndị China nke nọ n'ihe ize ndụ nke ịla n'iyi, ma na-enye ụzọ ọzọ na-adigide nke na-akwado nchekwa anụ ọhịa.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

Ivory Veil Ihe Ịchọ Mma meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Ivory Veil Ihe Ịchọ Mma ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. Ivory Veil Ihe Ịchọ Mma na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This is a display item made of natural lacquer crafted using ancient Chinese techniques and shaped like ivory. It is not made of real ivory, but rather a combination of copper and lacquer materials that recreate the appearance of ivory. The craftsmanship involved is complex, and even in China, it faces the risk of being lost. Its texture is close to real ivory, and the patterns also adopt traditional Chinese artistic forms.
Dimensions & Packaging: Its length is 71 centimeters, width is 23 centimeters, and height is 38 centimeters.
Tags: Traditional Chinese Culture, Carved Lacquerware, Sculpture, Decorative Object, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Artwork, Ivory Form, Wildlife Protection
Production Technology: First, the lacquer collected from the tree is prepared. Then, the copper material is shaped into an ivory-like form, and a layer of primer is applied to the prepared copper surface. After the primer dries, multiple layers of natural lacquer are applied, ensuring each layer is smooth and accumulating to a thickness of about 150 layers. Once the lacquer layers are dry, tools are used to carve on the lacquer surface. Finally, the surface of the workpiece is polished to ensure smoothness.
Design Challenge: Lacquer trees are found deep in the mountains, and only a few drops of sap can be collected from each tree. Most people are allergic to lacquer, making the collection process extremely challenging. Very few people know how to make lacquer, and there are almost no reference books available. The lacquer will not cause allergy until it is completely dry. However, lacquer dries very slowly, requiring more than a year from the time of sap collection to the completion of the artwork.
Research: This is applied material and craft research. The objective was to recreate the beauty of ivory without using animal material. The method combined visual study, material comparison and making tests. Research tools included literature review, sketching, carving and surface-finishing trials. Prototype experiments examined form, texture and visual effect. The result showed carved lacquer could achieve an ivory-like elegance ethically. The project shows how traditional craft can support wildlife protection and inspire sustainable design.
Inspiration: To protect wildlife, we reject the use of real ivory. Yet ivory has long been admired for its artistic beauty, which inspired this project to recreate that elegance through a sustainable alternative. Chinese carved lacquer, made from natural lacquer resin, can be shaped freely and developed with a texture and visual softness close to ivory. This led to a carved lacquer object that echoes the form and refinement of ivory without using animal material.
Project Duration: Launched in Beijing in February 2023, and completed in May 2024.
Operation Flow: The object is meant to be viewed closely and appreciated from different angles. As the viewer lifts or turns it gently, the carved dove and peony motifs, layered lacquer surface, and ivory-like texture become more visible. The interaction is quiet and reflective rather than mechanical. It performs better by combining symbolic imagery, rich detail, and a smooth tactile quality, creating a deeper visual and emotional experience.
Team Members: Huanxi Wang
Yutong Wang
Ruoxuan Gao
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Xiaoge Zang, White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #2: CreatorXiaoge Zang , White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #3: CreatorYutong Wang , White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #4: Creator Huanxi Wang, White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Image #5: CreatorYutong Wang, White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.
Video Credits: Video Creator Xiaoge Zang ,White Carved Lacquer Artwork, 2024.