Ivory Veil Taonga Whakapaipai by Xiaoge Zang

Ivory Veil Taonga Whakapaipai by Xiaoge Zang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Taputapu Kāinga Competition Category.

ParahiTaputapu Kāinga· 2026

Ivory Veil Taonga Whakapaipai

by Xiaoge Zang

Client: BeiHang University

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Taputapu Kāinga Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ivory Veil Taonga Whakapaipai

He taonga whakapaipai a Ivory Veil i hangaia ki te parahi konukura me te pania māori. Ko te āhua e whakamahara ana ki te rei whakairo, engari kāore he rauemi kararehe i whakamahia. Ka whakaahuahia te iho konukura, ka whakaritea, kātahi ka paniā ki ngā paparanga angiangi e 150 pea o te pania māori. Kia maroke ana, ka whakairohia te mata ki ngā tauira kūkupa me te pūāwai peony, ā, ka orohia kia maeneene rawa. E 71 henemita te roa o te taonga nei, e 23 henemita te whānui, ā, e 38 henemita te teitei. Ka whakamahi a Ivory Veil i tētahi mahi toi tuku iho nō Haina e tata ngaro ana, ā, ka whakarato i tētahi huarahi toitū e tautoko ana i te tiakitanga o te kararehe mohoao.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Ivory Veil Taonga Whakapaipai te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Ivory Veil Taonga Whakapaipai he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Ivory Veil Taonga Whakapaipai i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

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.