Technology Definitely Helps Me a Lot During The Making Process. Yajie Hu interviewed by Klimt02

Tell us about your background. What were your first influences to be creative and become an artist and what has drawn you to contemporary jewellery?
As a Chinese jewellery artist, I completed my undergraduate study in China, and achieved my master’s degree in Jewellery Design in the UK. Until now I have the opportunity to do further studies and to live in Italy. I am very glad that I could experience different education systems surrounding by different cultures. I think it was like a destiny for me choosing contemporary jewellery as the field that I would like to explore. Before I was involved in this field, I could not find a specific thing that I like or I want to do for my entire life. Then I was obsessed with the idea that any materials could be used in contemporary jewellery. There are no boundaries and I could even put my crazy ideas into my designs. Like I said always, contemporary jewellery to me is a wearable art object. There was a wonderful opportunity in my life which kind of gave me a hint that I need to continue doing this even after graduation. More importantly, I want to devote myself to this field.

 
How important is networking for you in your professional practice and what are your preferred tools for this?
Networking is absolutely important to me. I have gradually developed my audiences through the network. I have also received many exhibition invitations by social media and email. I promote myself a lot through these online platforms. It is very convenient, and it has a huge impact on people’s daily lives. I think nowadays it is a crucial tool for almost any kind of businesses.

 
Thinking about your career, what role do technology and the digital play in your artistic development & communication?
Technology definitely helps me a lot during the making process. For example, laser-cutting, with this technology now is easier for makers to save time and make project precisely. 3D printing is also an obvious example. Technology is getting more important now not only to us but also to many industries.
 
 
 How has your work changed over the past few years and what are you excited about these days?
Over the past few years, I was focusing on my acrylic-paint based projects. And I was quite happy and excited to do some research about this particular material and what I could do with it. Colour is my passion, maybe is also my personal characteristics, but I am also excited to explore more different materials and new projects with interesting ideas.