Chinkin Workshop: For Upper-Level Students, Art School Participants & Adults

Chinkin (沈金), meaning “sinking gold,” is a time-honored lacquer engraving technique that originated in China and matured in Japan, known for its refined surface incisions and luminous metallic infill. Practiced historically in elite ceremonial ware and religious art, the method involves carving delicate lines or dots into hardened lacquer and then embedding gold or silver powder to reveal the image. Revered for its quiet elegance and meditative rhythm, chinkin represents one of the most contemplative forms of decorative craft in East Asia.

Single-Session Experience (2.5–3 hours):

Participants will be introduced to chinkin through guided tool use, surface marking, and metallic powder application. Each student will complete a small engraved sample piece on a pre-lacquered board. No prior experience is necessary, though comfort with fine motor work is helpful. Tools will be provided for in-class use. This workshop is ideal for students age 16 and above, particularly those interested in printmaking, slow craft, East Asian aesthetics, or meditative making. 

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  Zhiheng Gong is an interdisciplinary artist, designer, and educator specializing in the fusion of traditional Chinese lacquer techniques with contemporary artistic expression. He holds a BFA in 3D Design from the University of Iowa and an MFA in Interaction Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Now based in the United States, his lacquer studio is in Long Island City, New York, where he explores the potential of lacquer in contemporary art and spatial practice.

  Zhiheng Gong