Art is aimed at setting up emotional connection with people. Qian Wang interviewed by Klimt02

What's local and universal in your artistic work?
Art is intended to create emotional connection with people, for which it is both personal and universal.
It’s an inclination for human beings to express emotion in the form of art and craft. Art is aimed at setting up emotional connection with people. As we are common in having the memory of prior experiences, it’s personal and at the same time, universal. The multidisciplinary education allowed me to develop my intercultural sensitivity. Therefore, my first contemporary jewellery series explore the gardens that represent the classic Versailles garden and Suzhou garden in China. The other series stem from feminism – where expressing my emotions, goals, and ideas, in the realm of the personal, social and political context, is an exercise in communicating my individual experience. 


What do you expect when you show your work to the public (for example, with an exhibition)?
For the emotional communication between artistic works and audiences, I expect people to touch and wear my pieces and give consideration to the implications behind the artwork. Take my solo exhibition as an example which was held in Florence with the title I am not cooking pasta, I am doing jewellery, the display was extraordinarily creative and successful in triggering the curiosity of people about what the jewellery was, how and why it was made. The display of the exhibition was considered important as the audience took on performance goals incorporated into the work, thus adding to its aesthetic effect and interactivity.


How important is handmade for you in your development? What role does technics and technology play in your development?
Handmade skills transform my ideas into the 3D pieces, which is particularly the case regarding the experiments with materials and wearability tests. However, I must admit that the 3D technology makes the process of production more efficient and it even contributes to the innovative ways. Now they are both playing a vital role in the process of production.


When you start making a new piece what is your process? How much of it is a pre formulated plan and how much do you let the material spontaneity lead you?
I had a mature experiment with pasta, for which I started with weaving the spaghetti into various shapes and then combined them to establish a best suitable connection process to complete my work. There are always new inspirations springing to my mind during the process of production, which is a powerful catalyst prompting me to constantly develop my works.


Are there any other areas besides the jewels present in your work?
Yes, if the teaching is. I love teaching, it is a fantastic experience to provide students with guidance on how to create jewellery and develop their works. For me, it is a good way to acquire and integrate knowledge continuously.


How important is wearability in contemporary jewellery? And in your pieces?
The feature of wearability is quite essential for contemporary jewellery. However, how important the way of wearing it depends on the concept to be embodied by pieces. I made an attempt to create a unique way of wearing my “garden” series, I was trying to find connections between jewellery landscape and the human body.


The last work, book, film, city that moved me was…
I love the book called Eat Pray Love and written by Elizabeth Gilbert, and the novel was later adapted into a film. I was attracted by the fantastic landscapes presented in the movie and impressed with the courage demonstrated by the protagonist to make space for the unknown future and fill up the life with yet-to-come surprise. In addition to making me embrace the mates who tear down your walls and smack you awake, they come into my life just to reveal another layer of myself to me and then leave.


What/who is the biggest influence in your career?
That is a good question. It prompts me to reflect on my experience of life. Firstly, the encouragement from my father, my family, whatever my choice, he believed in me, making me believe in myself. Secondly, under the influence of arts and family with metalsmith backgrounds, I am genius in art and techniques, and I’m also keen to explore the unknown area. With the persistent pursuit of arts and crafts, my work was recognised in a way that boosted my confidence and made me more determined to pursue and explore the humanistic art.


What is your source to get information?
For the jewellery information, Klimt02 and AJF represent the two major routes to get fresh information online. For the research, I always search for some pages from the library or the internet, magazines and journals.


Considering the experiences you have had over the years - if you could go back and give yourself a piece of advice for the start-up phase, what would that be?
All the experience is integral part of life, and it makes up a unique story to me. If I could go back and I remain in pursuit of what I desire, only the results come earlier. There are various unknowns that lie ahead in the future and follow your heart, please fill up the life with yet-to-come surprise.


Can you describe your personality in 3 words, describe your work in 3 words?
I am really an artistic, challengeable and analytical person, for which my artistic work is creative, changeable and meaningful.