As an artist, it’s not just about creating beauty but also about discovering it.

Two years ago, I began using recyclable materials to design and create my lacquerware pieces. From paper and avocado skins to fabric, these everyday materials were transformed into meaningful tea utensils.

Today, I want to share a special creation—a lacquer tray made from paper. This paper was originally folded into a little boat by my daughter and was destined for the trash. At first, I found her origami amusing but noticed something intriguing when I unfolded it: the creases and folds created an interplay of order and disorder. The slightly warped shape and textured lines caught my attention. As I gently spread it out, the paper’s edges curled inward while the center remained relatively flat, sparking an idea—it could become a tray.

To preserve its unique form, I applied layers of lacquer to its surface, letting gravity shape its slanted edges. After multiple coats, the paper started to solidify. To enhance its durability, I laminated it with a piece of summer cloth using lacquer mixed with glutinous rice powder. Once dried, I used a lacquer paste mixed with tile ash to fill in the fabric’s pores and smooth the surface. After over a month of work, the base structure was finally complete.

In recent days, I began the process of strengthening the base with natural raw lacquer. After three rounds of application and sanding, the dried lacquer revealed a warm amber-brown tone, giving the piece a rustic, wabi-sabi-like charm that resembled rusted iron. This raw beauty captivated me, and I couldn’t help but capture it in photographs to preserve the moment.

Beauty is never absolute. It’s simply a fleeting that resonates with you—just like this one.