Liu Yang

Liu Yang, a jewelry designer from Xinjiang, China, now based in London, draws inspiration from the mineral treasures of her homeland. Liu focuses on exploring the natural characteristics of mineral aggregates to expand the possibilities for creating organic and geometric jewelry. Using silver, sculpted wax, and imperfect gemstones, she transforms often overlooked minerals into unique jewelry pieces. These creations showcase the random yet highly ordered forms of nature, featuring cracks, inclusions, and irregular details that reveal the astonishing shapes of minerals molded by nature, despite their highly ordered atomic structures.

Liu Yang's designs are closely linked to the dramatic architectural structures and celebration of primitivism found in the Brutalist movement. These structures, both in jewelry and architecture, exhibit primal and orderly, dramatic and stable qualities, presenting a world full of exploration and wonder to the audience. Her research focuses on non-precious gemstones, particularly those with rich and random inclusions like labradorite and rutilated quartz. While these inclusions are often considered flaws, they exhibit a vibrant life force that captivates Liu, fostering a deep interest and awareness of the natural beauty within these stones. Her designs highlight these features, promoting a meditative appreciation of nature's intricate details.

In her upcoming collection, Liu Yang incorporates ancient Chinese mortise and tenon structures into her jewelry, rethinking traditional setting methods. She uses metal tension to fit stones into precise grooves, completing the setting without additional work. This approach combines contemporary aesthetics with a reinterpretation of ancient techniques, fostering a mindful connection to craftsmanship and drawing attention to overlooked beauty. Her pieces are not just jewelry but thoughtful expressions of natural beauty and traditional craftsmanship, reflecting her unique understanding and deep respect for nature, architecture, and historical culture.

You can see her works at the upcoming Romania Jewelry Week 2024 and the IV Latin American Biennial of Contemporary Jewellery.