Zhipeng Wang

Bio

Zhipeng Wang (b. 1996, Anhui, China) is a contemporary artist working internationally in the fields of contemporary art jewellery and object-making. His practice is deeply rooted in China’s rich material cultural heritage and shaped by a distinctive cross-cultural perspective. Materials with strong cultural resonance, such as tea and jade, serve as central carriers in his exploration of identity, memory, and materiality.
 
After receiving his BFA in Jewellery Art and Design from the China Academy of Art in 2019, Zhipeng began his cross-cultural artistic journey. In 2020, he joined the well-known Jewellery Class at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich under Professor Karen Pontoppidan and completed his studies in 2024 with a Master of Fine Arts degree.

As one of the notable emerging jewellery artists in recent years, Zhipeng’s work has gained broad international recognition. His creations have been shown in major exhibitions and events across more than ten countries, including China, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, Argentina and the United States, and have been selected twice for the prestigious Schmuck special show in Munich.

Zhipeng has received several major international awards. He is the first Chinese artist to win the prestigious Herbert Hofmann Prize (2026) and the Grand Prize of the BKV-Prize (2024) in Munich. He also received First Prize at the Montebello Award in Milan (2024), the Winner’s Prize at the Preziosa Young competition in Florence (2021), and a Special Award at the 30th Legnica International Jewellery Competition “Touch” (2022) in Poland. His works are held in public collections including the Auckland Museum in New Zealand, the Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus Hanau in Germany, and the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art.
 

Statement

Drawing inspiration from his rich cultural heritage and cross-cultural experiences, Zhipeng's practice-led research revolves around the creation of contemporary art jewellery and object, employing a diverse range of materials that are deeply rooted in Chinese culture, including elements such as Chinese tea and rice. Through his artistic practice, he created captivating pieces that evoke cultural narratives while pushing the boundaries of the medium.

Identity Ring
As a Chinese live in Europe, the profound impact of diverse cultures on my daily life becomes particularly significant. Tea, symbolizing oriental characteristics, and coffee, representing Western traits, stand as quintessential beverages. Despite their distinct origins, striking similarities emerge. The historical roots between tea and coffee are imbued with mythological allure and adorned with enigmatic cultural imagery. Initially confined to European aristocracy, coffee gradually permeated wider circles, while tea, once exclusively accessible to the emperor’s family in ancient China, now finds its place in the daily lives of Europeans.

Inspired by the great fusion of global cultures, I used tea and coffee instead of gold and gem to innovate the material used of the ancient signet ring, which traditionally symbolizes status. The fusion of tea and coffee gave birth to a ring that metaphor Chinese living in Germany, who had to undergo a transformation of their cultural identity to adapt to Western society. During this creative process, the act of carving seemed to continually shape my cultural identity, with each carving stroke reflecting my personal growth and processes of cultural fusion.

Tea Brick
For more than 1500 years, Chinese tea has woven a tapestry of foreign trade heritage. It has transformed into a key commodity, nurturing communication and trade between China and the global community. Tea not only shapes economic ties but also weaves a fabric of cultural influence and diplomatic connections. The profound impact of Chinese tea, intertwined with philosophical musings and cultural connotations, elevates it to a symbol of China's rich cultural identity.

Like many contemporary youths, whenever I travel to different countries, I use travel apps to document my journey. These routes outline and narrate my experiences and memories in Europe, ultimately manifested in the form of brooches. Each tea brick symbolizes a chapter of my life during the European journey, laying the foundation for my personal cross-cultural adventure path.

CV