Zhiqing
Peng
About
The Bell responds to an existing place (a bell tower in Guangdong Province) that I visited in 2020. I have used the visual vocabulary of this building, recognisable aspects with a focus on the bell and tower and clock to make two objects, an armlet and earrings. The combination of architecture and jewelry breaks the boundary between classic traditional culture and trend creation. I found that architectural textures and structural mechanics are aesthetically fascinating, and they also have commonalities in technology and tools. When worn, or exhibited on the body the components hit each other and make a sound. The works were created using the medium of braided copper wire and gemstones. I also used silver clay during lockdown as a tool to make the silver components.
I have woven the copper wire into a loop and used multiple thin copper wires that I have juxtaposed and interlaced to imitate the texture of the ancient bell’s surface. Below the arm ring is a net woven of copper wire to hold the gemstones. When the wearer shakes their arms, they hear the sound of the gemstones colliding with each other, which conveys and simulates the bell sound.
On the other side, three copper wires are used to line the appearance of the clock. The silver block inlaid with gems in the centre mimics the inner core of the clock and the feeling of being wrapped by the outer wall.
Bio
I was born in 1998 in Guangdong Province, China. I commenced my undergraduate degree in Visual Arts at the University of Sydney, Australia in 2018. Since this time I have majored in the Jewelry and Objects studio. I have also studied Theatre and Performance as a minor which has influenced my practice. I plan to pursue my studies and work as artist in China.