Yuxiao Zhu - UK/China
Yuxiao Zhu
Designer biography:
Yuxiao Zhu, originally from China and currently based in the UK, is an artist specialising in mixed media and contemporary jewellery design. Zhu studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China, where she gained skills in painting, photography, and metalwork. During her master’s degree at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, she concentrated on metalwork and jewellery design, exploring how traditional craftsmanship meets story painting. Her work embodies the fusion of cultural intersections and diverse influences, combining traditional metalworking, painting, and narrative imagery to create art that sparks curiosity and dialogue.
Collection concept: P
The Theatre of Life series is a conceptual jewellery collection that explores the cyclical nature of existence and the spiritual connections between birth, death, and the afterlife. Through sculptural, wearable pieces, the series reflects on universal themes of transformation, impermanence, and human emotions.The works merge traditional metalwork with contemporary painting techniques, emphasizing expressive colour and intricate storytelling.
Key Acts: 1.Dazzling Birth (Ring): This sculptural ring symbolizes the beginning of life. Its curved metal framework resembles silhouettes of beings, while a Tree of Life cradles a newborn at its center. The baby holds a coffin, anticipating the transition to the next act.
2.Roses and Death is a coffin-shaped brooch that bridges life and death. When closed, it connects to the cradle-held coffin from the first act, while opening it reveals a world symbolizing mortality. Inspired by traditions like Mexico's Day of the Dead and China's Qingming Festival, elements like skeletons, funeral wreaths, and tombstones symbolize remembrance, love, and the enduring connection between the living and the departed......
