Image: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Chinese architect Xu Tiantian has been named the recipient of the 2026 ‘MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission’, according to an announcement issued by the National Gallery of Victoria. The announcement introduces Tiantian as the commission’s recipient and presents her exploring the streets of Melbourne, but does not provide further details about the project she will develop.
The commission is a collaboration between MECCA and the National Gallery of Victoria. Its title identifies the programme as focused on women in design, while the 2026 award places Tiantian within an initiative linking a major Australian cultural institution with the cosmetics company. The available announcement does not specify the commission’s format, location, production timetable or plans for public presentation.
Tiantian is described in the announcement as a Chinese architect. The source material also characterises her as an internationally recognised designer, but gives no additional biographical information, project history or account of her architectural practice. It does not include a statement from Tiantian, MECCA or the NGV explaining the selection.
The announcement’s only description of Tiantian’s activity is its invitation to meet her as she explores Melbourne’s streets. That wording establishes a connection between the recipient and the city, but does not clarify whether the urban exploration forms part of the commissioned work, a filmed presentation, a public programme or another aspect of the announcement.
The National Gallery of Victoria, based in Melbourne, is the organisation identified with the announcement. The supplied material does not say that the commission will be exhibited or installed at either NGV International or NGV Australia, and no venue has been announced for the work. It also does not state whether the commission will involve architecture, an installation, design research or another medium.
The announcement was published on 22 August 2026. No start date, completion date, launch date or event schedule is supplied. Further information about the commission’s scope, collaborators, site and public presentation was not included in the available source material.
