(2/5)
‘’I make Diancui jewelry.
(An ancient form of art, also called dotting with kingfishers. Craftsmen would apply the shimmering kingfisher feathers to jewelry, fans and other decorations)
This is the first gold jewel that I’ve designed and made.
The upper part is made of peony the national flower of china. It represents good fortune, wealth and power. The other part is a kind of fruit representing fortune and good luck.
I like Beijing opera and culture. I used to sing it at university and they had these kind of decorations on masks. So, I continued to do it on my own.
Even though there are very very few people actually making these anymore I feel there is a certain responsibility for me to preserve this sort of art.
I graduated last year...My main work right now is to preserve some of the lost techniques of making them and I focus on my designs right now... I want to read a Masters degree in jewelry design
I think I have a strong influence on people around me. According to what my opera teacher said I am one of the leading icons on preserving Chinese Art.’’