In my collection MEMENTO, I explore the unique culture, atmosphere, and lifestyle in China at the end of the last century. These deeply ingrained memories of neon light in a dark night, a trolley passing through the city, sprawling innumerable bamboo scaffolds, the elderly walking with a birdcage, as well as the typical fire escape staircases in old buildings, have faded away in reality, but not in my vision.
The central piece of MEMENTO is a shoulder piece of scaffolding that other pieces in the collection can connect to. This combination of scaffolding, accent lighting, installation, and smaller jewelry pieces transport the wearer into an idealized version of the city from my youth. Every piece is not only a wearable adornment in its own right, but also a part of the “city”. Each conveys a fragment of unforgettable memories.
Working mainly in metal, I like the flexibility of silver and copper. They can be represented as soft as bamboo or hard as rebar. I love the colors and the glossy texture of enamel, and have combined it with metal for this collection, adding LED lights to bring these streetscapes of my youth to life.