Ning Chang

NING CHANG

NING CHANG, A JEWELLERY ARTIST, INTRICATELY WEAVES personal experiences AND social commentary INTO HER PIECES. SPECIALISING IN enamelling AND cloisonné, HER WORK CHALLENGES NORMS, SPARKING REFLECTIONS ON femininity AND gender stereotypes.

ARTIST STATEMENT

In my work, I am deeply driven by the use of symbolism and derive inspiration from my personal experiences and social issues to create a meaningful connection with my audience. I specialise in designing exquisite pieces of jewellery that feature intricate illustrations crafted using enamelling and cloisonn é , which add a unique charm and character to each piece. Moreover, I incorporate various materials with metal to create pieces that reflect my perspective on pressing issues, which often results in thoughtprovoking and captivating works of art that resonate with my audience.

ARTWORK STATEMENT

The core idea of my project is to challenge the view that women have to be feminine. I am frequently criticised for not being feminine enough. This has motivated me to create jewellery using materials that are traditionally regarded as feminine. I also integrate Ikebana, the ancient Asian art of flower arrangement, into my creations to signify my conviction that women should strive to eradicate gender stereotypes.

I am not suggesting that women should abandon their femininity. Instead, I encourage them to challenge the societal expectations that govern their dressing and behaviour, which are often restrictive and conform to traditional feminine stereotypes. This includes not only the clothing women wear but also the qualities and characteristics that are typically associated with being a woman.

How does your background in graphic design and illustration inform your artistic approach to jewellery making?

Having a background in graphic design and illustration, I possess a deeper understanding and appreciation for colour, structure, and form. This has greatly influenced my artistic approach to making jewellery, enabling me to design and craft visually appealing pieces with a unique perspective and innovative techniques.

Can you discuss the techniques you employ, such as enamelling and cloisonné , and how they contribute to the conceptual aspects of your jewellery pieces?

Enamel and cloisonné techniques have a distinct beauty and artistic appeal, and can greatly enhance the visual effects of my jewellery works. By carefully matching colours and positioning cloisonné threads, I can create intricate patterns that, when combined with my illustrations, add to the overall charm and allure of the piece. Even though enamel and cloisonné techniques are traditional, the way I incorporate them into my designs infuses them with a fresh, modern style.

Symbolism appears to be a significant element in your work. How do you incorporate personal experiences and societal issues into your jewellery designs to create meaningful connections with your audience?

I often draw inspiration for my jewellery designs from my personal experiences. These experiences could stem from my life stories, emotional experiences, or reflections on specific events. I transform these experiences into different stories. By converting character elements from these stories into symbols or images, I can express personal emotions and meanings in my jewellery pieces. My concern for social issues is often reflected in my designs, including environmental protection, social equity, and cultural diversity. I weave these issues into stories and incorporate keywords into my jewellery designs in hopes of arousing the audience's attention, encouraging reflection, and advocating for positive social change.

I design jewellery to create meaningful connections with my audience by integrating personal experiences and social issues into my designs. This gives my work more depth and creates a significant emotional bond with the audience.

Your project "Screw Femininity" challenges traditional notions of femininity and gender stereotypes. Could you elaborate on the inspiration behind this project and the artistic message it aims to convey?

My project challenges gender stereotypes and traditional notions of femininity. Inspired by my own experience of being criticised for not being feminine enough, I aim to break down the limited societal definition of women that ignores their diversity and independence. I use my designs as a form of protest against these stereotypes.

The pieces I create are intended to communicate a significant artistic statement - that women should not be confined to particular roles or images, as they possess a range of temperaments and potentials. My work emphasises that every woman deserves acceptance and respect regardless of her appearance or personality traits. It challenges conventional gender norms and encourages viewers to redefine their perceptions of women. Through my work, I showcase the diversity and resilience of women, prompting the audience to reflect on their biases and preconceptions about gender roles.

How do you balance aesthetic appeal with conceptual depth in your jewellery designs, and what considerations guide your artistic decision making process?

Designing jewellery that is both visually appealing and conceptually rich is a challenging process. I balance these two factors by focusing on precise design elements and proportions, as well as incorporating unique stories and sources of inspiration that convey cultural, historical, emotional or social issues.

When making artistic decisions, the first thing I consider is the intended audience for my work. I aim to deeply integrate the concept into my design to create an emotionally connected storytelling experience that will resonate with and captivate the audience. Finally, I carefully select the appropriate techniques and materials to bring my design concept to life, ensuring a perfect balance of aesthetics and conceptual depth. My jewellery designs balance aesthetic appeal and conceptual depth by incorporating careful design and artistic decisions. This ensures that my pieces are both visually captivating and thought-provoking.

The materials you choose for your jewellery, such as brass, lace, and plaster, seem to carry symbolic weight. Can you discuss your material selection process and how it contributes to the overall meaning of your artwork?

When selecting materials for my jewellery, I prioritise their symbolic significance and how well they complement my design concept. There are several factors I consider when choosing materials, including how they contribute to the overall meaning of my artwork.

1. Brass is a sturdy metal that has been used in jewellery-making for a long time. Its colour and texture can give a warm and ancient feel to any piece of jewellery. In this case, I shaped it into a Kenzan, also known as a Flower frog, which is a traditional ikebana element that represents the traditional stereotype of women.

2. Lace is often considered a symbol of the elegance and femininity associated with women, which is a feminine trait in traditional stereotypes.

3. Plaster is a material that is soft and fluid when not solidified, and it becomes hard when it solidifies. This property of plaster is symbolic of the opposition between men and women in society.

I carefully selected these materials not only for their visual appeal but also for their symbolic significance and compatibility with my design concept. By blending these materials, I can craft one-of-a-kind jewellery items that possess a special meaning and complexity, and effectively communicate emotions and messages to the observer.

Could you share more about your integration of Ikebana, the ancient Asian art of flower arrangement, into your jewellery creations? How does this addition enhance the narrative and visual impact of your pieces?

Kenzan is an essential tool used to secure branches in floral arrangements. In my project, I incorporated the visual language of Kenzan into creating brooches and rings by replacing the original straight metal wires with wavy ones to give the pieces a floral arrangement-like appearance. Historically, flower arranging was considered a skill reserved for women and kenzan, being a crucial component of this art, had to be hidden from view in the pot. For this reason, I chose to use the kenzan as a symbol of the societal stereotype of women in a patriarchal society. By using the sharp edge of the sword to destroy the lace, I aimed to express my resistance and determination towards challenging the status of women in a patriarchal society.

As an artist based in Birmingham, how does the local art scene and cultural landscape influence your artistic practice and the themes you explore in your work?

The Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham has been a great source of inspiration and learning for me. I frequently attend art exhibitions in the area to draw inspiration and improve my artistic skills. In addition, being an artist-in-residence at the BCU School of Jewellery allows me to communicate and learn with others, providing even more growth opportunities.

What future artistic projects or endeavours are you eager to pursue, and how do you envision your artistic practice evolving in the years to come?

I have high hopes for my future artistic endeavours. I hope to participate in more exhibitions, connect with other artists, and explore new materials and techniques for making jewellery. I'm particularly interested in exploring themes of gender and identity to convey deep reflections through my artistic works.

I am confident and optimistic about the development of my art practice in the coming years. I will continue to strive to improve my artistic skills and creative abilities, constantly look for new inspiration and expression methods, and establish deeper connections with society and audiences. I believe that with continuous learning and practice, my artistic creations will continue to achieve new achievements and breakthroughs, bringing more surprises and inspiration to the art world.

ARTIST BIO

THERE IS A jewellery artist WHO IS BASED IN BIRMINGHAM AND HAS A BACKGROUND IN graphic design and illustration. SHE COMPLETED HER GRADUATE DIPLOMA AND MASTER'S DEGREE FROM Birmingham City University School of Jewellery AND IS CURRENTLY A RESIDENCY ARTIST THERE. HER ART IS MAINLY CREATED WITH metal AND IS OFTEN INSPIRED BY personal experiences. SHE HAD BEEN A PART OF THE EXHIBITION OF THE RESIDENCY ARTIST "NINETEEN" AT BCU School of Jewellery AND IS ABOUT TO EXHIBIT A CLOISONNE PIECE IN the Holly Art Gallery IN AUGUST.

REVIEW

Ning Chang's journey as a jewellery artist unfolds against the backdrop of Birmingham's vibrant art scene. With a background in graphic design and illustration, Chang's transition into jewellery making brings a unique perspective to her creations, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary tastes.

Chang's work is characterised by its intricate illustrations crafted using enamelling and cloisonné techniques, imbuing each piece with a distinct charm and narrative depth. In her project "Screw Femininity," Chang confronts societal norms surrounding gender roles, challenging the notion that women must conform to traditional ideals of femininity. Through the use of materials traditionally associated with femininity, such as lace and plaster, Chang subverts expectations, creating jewellery that serves as a form of protest against restrictive gender stereotypes.

The integration of Ikebana, the ancient Asian art of flower arrangement, adds a layer of symbolism to Chang's work, further enhancing its narrative and visual impact. By incorporating the visual language of Kenzan, a tool used in Ikebana, Chang infuses her jewellery with subtle references to societal expectations placed upon women, while simultaneously expressing her resistance and determination to challenge these norms.

Chang's artistic practice is deeply rooted in personal experiences and social commentary, inviting viewers to engage in meaningful dialogue about femininity and gender dynamics. Through her meticulous craftsmanship and thought-provoking themes, Chang's jewellery pieces transcend their materiality, becoming powerful symbols of empowerment and self-expression.

As Chang continues to explore themes of gender and identity in her work, her future artistic endeavours hold promise for further innovation and introspection. With a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and fostering connections with her audience, Chang's artistic practice is poised to make a lasting impact on the contemporary jewellery landscape.