CAMEO IS AN ONGOING SERIES FEATURING CANADIAN JEWELLERY ARTISTS. HERE, THEY SHARE THEIR LATEST THOUGHTS AND INSIGHTS, AND GIVE US A PEEK INTO THEIR PRACTICE.
CAMEO:
ALICE YUJING YAN
Toronto, Ontario
aliceyujingyan.com
Describe your current work/practice in one sentence.
I create jewellery that is very personal and emotional, and I believe that there must be connections between the artist and the viewer through the art production.
What are three things/ideas that inspire you?
Modern architecture, colour, emotional feelings.
What other things do you do besides your jewellery practice?
My husband Jay Joo and I built a space called JJStudio. We operate a fully equipped jewellery studio and gallery with a storefront in downtown Toronto. Our goal is to create a venue that showcases local crafts, to generate more interest and understanding amongst the general public of craft, and for craft to be recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft by collaborating with various artists for custom projects, exhibitions and sales.
I made the piece ‘Converse I’ for my graduation exhibition. It was the first time I combined two very important elements— form and colour— in one piece, and it was selected as a finalist at the NICHE Awards. I will say this piece is more significant to me because it not only summarizes what I have learned from school, but also gave me a lot of confidence to start a new chapter in my later practice.
What is a favourite piece that you’ve made and why?
Converse 1 (2014)
Copper, brass, stainless steel, powder coat
Photo credit: Alice Yujing Yan
Post Sculpture-ism (2016)
Copper, brass, stainless steel, powder coat
Photo credit: Jay Joo
International.
What word pops into your mind when you think of Canadian art jewellery?
I am currently preparing with my husband Jay Joo, who is also a jeweller, for our upcoming duo show at our gallery during the Toronto Design Offsite Festival 2019. This is the first time we will be working together, and I am very excited about this collaboration.
What is coming up next for you?
Published: 2018/09/14
