Months later, I revisited this box of carbonised branches and wondered how can I stabilise the bark or the branches so that I can prolong just a little longer the fragility of the bark on the branches. 

I thought about Urushi, a natural lacquer that is derieved from the sap of the lacquer tree. A couple of years ago, I attended a course to learn how to prepare and apply this lacquer onto wood surfaces. I understood its properties and wanted to experiment with it. 

So I did a couple of tests and the result was quite interesting. I started with applying on the bark itself, then selectively at certain portions, then for some of the branches without any bark left, I applied directly onto the surface of the branch. 

Areas applied with urushi appeared glossy as expected, but I noticed that it also enhanced the texture of that area. It was fascinating to see the textural and colour difference of the treated and untreated area. When the Urushi cures, it is hard and holds the fragile charcoal together. 

Each layer of urushi applied yielded slightly different results. Apart from visual and textural differences, what I realised was a concept emerging from the act of applying urushi on the carbonised bark.

When the tree is alive, the bark of the tree acts as a protective layer. Even after being cut down, the bark continues to wrap around the branch, covering and protecting the wood beneath it. After carbonisation however, it becomes fragile and brittle, and no longer can perform that protective function. 

Urushi, also derived from the lacquer tree, undergoes its own transformation. Applied to the bark and exposed surfaces of the branches, it fills some of the smaller cracks and, once cured, forms a hard, water-resistant layer. In a sense, the urushi becomes a new protective layer and covering, taking on the role the bark once held.

This connects with my ongoing exploration of material transformation and how the roles and functions of materials can change as their physical state changes. 

Reassignment

The installation display meant to show each set of branches with the selective urushi treatment. From left: Selective treatment on branches with full bark, pieces with barely any bark left, urushi applied internally, urushi applied on cracks and splits, urushi applied under the bark fragments. 

The group exhibition was held on 5th September 2026 at the Tainan University of the Arts, Taiwan.