Artist Statement

The environment where I grew up retains some characteristics from The Chinese Cultural Revolution, and still influences my thinking and behavior close to the mainstream and following the rules unconsciously. Contemporary jewelry has affected me to be more critical in a positive way. I want to share this transformative experience with people who have never had contact with contemporary art, which is not popularized. How can I find a jewelry form that is both conceptual and acceptable？The strategy that I use is injecting conceptual content into conventional formats allows jewelry to act a medium to engage the masses, and in doing so, cause a change in how the public perceives rules and standards.

When viewers look at the work—One Perspective Ringsfrom a specific perspective, they would see the classical figure of an engagement-ring usually shown on advertisements. However, along with the transformation of perspective, the perception of the work would be totally different. When I provide a picture taken in a specific perspective as a popular ring, most people see the complete form in their mind based on experiences, since engagement rings have a formed and common definition known through images and advertising slogans. There are lots of stereotypical images common to our minds. Building a standard recognition that ignores individual deviations is what I see in the world around me.Value is placed on the average and in the mainstream, planting subconscious thoughts for individuals to follow along.

Living in society, especially in China, we have to reconcile identity into the group under collectivism. Sacrificing individuality for the uniformity sounds like a sad story, but I do not think personality is lost in this condition, especially for the younger generation. Instead, they express themselves implicitly. What interests me is how individuals develop compromising approaches in positioning themselves into a collective condition. Creativity is generated when people try to find a balance between breaking limitations and integrating themselves into the community. My work Reconciliation& Juxtapositionprovides a modest choice for people who struggle with showing personalities in a unified group. Stark differences can make us feel nervous, but small changes which happen in a comforting way can gradually help us to build the courage to demonstrate difference.