Peter Chang

Bio

Born in London (1944-2017) to a British mother and a Chinese seaman father, Peter grew up in Liverpool during the swinging '60s, absorbing influences from its many cultures. He trained as a graphic designer and sculptor at the Liverpool College of Art. In 1966, he won the Liverpool Senior City Scholarship, which enabled him to study in Paris at Atelier 17 under S.W. Hayter.

He began working in acrylic in the 1960s and, in the 1980s, applied it to jewellery. His collection was featured in Rifat Ozbek’s 1987 fashion show. His work is in collections around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, German Goldsmith's House and the Cooper Hewitt.

Statement

The extraordinary sculptural shapes of the objects made by Peter Chang are unique. He exploits the intrinsic qualities of plastic: its malleability and colour, adding depth and sensuality.

Artist, jeweller or sculptor? Peter Chang refuses to be labelled or to label his work. Seeing no difference between the arts, he produces work without limitations or boundaries.
‘The pieces I create can be sculptures, or they can be worn as jewellery. Each individual will have a different response to them and I like that.’

Taking acrylic, polyester resin and PVC, and using techniques he has devised over many years, Chang turns these throw-away everyday materials into something special. He is inspired by many things, from the natural world to the urban environment. It would not be unusual in Chang’s work to see, perhaps, the imagery of aquatic plants combined with the pattern from the sole of a trainer. Nothing is too commonplace or mundane. Sometimes the piece of work develops as it is made; perhaps through an accident, or as Chang would call it, meaningful chance. He embraces these changes in order to create something new.
/ Walker Art Gallery Liverpool