Egg sculptures from a range of artists and designers, including Tracey Emin, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger, have been hidden across New York City as part of the The Big Egg Hunt which has run throughout this month and finishes tomorrow. At the end of the hunt the eggs will be auctioned, raising money for New York children’s charity Studio in a School, and Elephant Family, which protects Asian elephants and their habitats.

The Accoya egg, designed by London firm ZAP Architecture, represents the vulnerability and fragility of mental health and wellbeing.

The hollow shell allows viewers to review these issues from both external and internal perspectives, achieved through the use of windows in the egg which transmit light into the hollow centre. The egg stands on a plinth made from Medite Tricoya.

The sculpture was created by Dresser Mouldings in Rochdale, and the wood for the project was donated by distributors Abbey Woods and James Latham.

"Using Accoya, we created an attractive, soft and smooth exterior façade, which we contrasted sharply with the more uncomfortable spiked interior," said Pol Gallagher, director of ZAP Architecture. "Accoya was a great material to work with, and owing to its durability credentials we’re confident that the egg will remain a beautiful piece of art for years to come."

Accoya is manufactured using Accsys Technologies’ proprietary acetylation process, which enhances the timber’s durability and stability.