Faculty of Design

Material Art & Design

Wang Encheng

02. Ring

This jewelry series represents my understanding of contradictions and conflict. I have seen much polarization of opinions among some people in recent years and getting tired of that. In response to this, I chose the crow, a complex animal, as the symbol to make this wearable jewelry set with striking visual contrast and a unique way to wear it. This jewelry set was all done by handmade wax carving and sterling silver casting, as well as the technique of soldering, polishing and patina. Crow is a symbol that could have conflicting meanings in different cultures and periods. Nowadays, when discussing crows, most Chinese people only know that they represent bad luck and death. But back in ancient times, crows symbolized the sun and filial piety. The implication of crows in China was not changeless. Because of history, it changed a lot. Should we abandon the symbol of good and tell others that crows never play a positive role in our culture? We shouldn’t do that. Therefore, I used a gradually varied visual effect to represent this change. The symbol of death slowly covered the sun pattern, but that pattern still exists. Half of my crow represents death, while another half represents the sun. The crow’s body is also the connection point of that jewelry in my design (except the ring), meaning the wearer must connect two halves of the crow to wear this jewelry. Abandoning any part of it will make this jewelry piece unwearable.

“Ring: The only jewelry piece in this series that cannot be separated. Represent the short period that the crow becomes the symbol of loneliness, sadness, and desolation. During this period, the implication of crow acts more as scenery than a symbol of death. This could be the starting point of the change of crow’s implications. ”