The development of the contemporary jewellery is just the process of exploring its definition. Yunqi Zhang interviewed by Klimt02

Are there any other areas besides the jewels present in your work?
I always start from an easy idea, it can be a personal story, my cultural background, etc. Then I will do a lot of tests to find what is the best way to achieve my concept. So through all of my works, the art forms are various, such as performance, moving image, photography, object, etc. It is hard to step into other areas, but it is interesting to learn other skills.


How important is wearability in contemporary jewellery? And in your pieces?
I think the wearability is not the most important point for contemporary jewelry. Contemporary jewelry is the same as other artistic creation, it is a way for artists to express personal feelings and their concepts. it is no longer limited by the form, so it can not be simply defined as decorations wearing on the body, with the development of contemporary art, it obscured the limitation between the contemporary jewelry and the other art forms, but the contemporary jewelry still has its special properties. it has privacy, on one hand, as the medium for artists, it shows the concept of them; on the other hand. compared with the other art forms, when the viewers wear it, they have a connection, it is not only about the relationship between the artwork and the viewer, jewelry makes the viewer have a close connection with the work, they can feel the concept from the first perceptive.


What/who is the biggest influence in your career?
Gijs Bakker. In 2006, Real series, he mixed the fake and real gems to make brooch. The fake gemstone was melted and changed the form. but the works are still shining. that series makes me think deeply about contemporary society: What is the meaning of the genuine gemstone? What does the jewelry mean to us? What is the definition of contemporary jewelry? In my opinion, we can not define the contemporary jewelry, the development of it is just the process of exploring its definition, the most charming part of contemporary jewelry for me is that we can not define it clearly, although the process of exploration is difficult, but is wonderful, because the harvest results will be full of sense of achievement.


Which piece of work gave you more satisfaction?
The current one: Memorial. Because it is a strong shock personally. And I have had a hard time when I decided to use this personal loss as my topic to create. It is very sad and difficult to go through my grandpas’death. But when I finish my collection, Both of my family and I feel not that sad anymore. We feel it is very meaningful work also it is a point for me to become an adult in my life. It is a very calm but powerful piece.


Can you describe your personality in 3 words, describe your work in 3 words.
Calm, slow, emotional.
Cultural, emotional, light.