Jade, revered for its luminous beauty and profound cultural significance, holds a cherished place in Chinese tradition as a symbol of purity, wisdom, and harmony. For centuries, it has been celebrated in art, literature, and daily life, earning the moniker ‘stone of heaven.’
In the field of contemporary art, the use of jade represents the intersection of tradition and modernity, while showcasing the diversity of material language in cultural, historical, and aesthetic dimensions. As a material with profound cultural significance and historical heritage, jade has been reinterpreted by contemporary artists to explore themes such as identity, nature and spirituality.
Today, this timeless gemstone transcends borders through the hands of London-based artist Xiaoyu Li, captivating international audiences with its exquisite craftsmanship and deep-rooted symbolism.
When Li was a child, she received a jade bracelet as her first piece of jewellery. It marked the beginning of her understanding of Eastern culture and symbolized her deep affection for her hometown and nature.
Exposed to painting from an early age and furthering her education at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and the Royal College of Art, Li earned a master’s degree in Jewellery & Metal, laying a solid foundation for her sustaining innovation in the contemporary art field.
The STONE SET STONE, created by Li as a contemporary art project with unique visual effect and cultural connotation, combines jade from the East with the metal inlay craftsmanship from the West, illustrating the cultural phenomenon of “cultural hybridity” through the interplay of intuitive contradictions and inherent similarities.
Li’s STONE SET STONE showcases her mastery of jade carving techniques and her understanding of metalwork characteristics. She seamlessly integrates the distinct art forms of jade carving and gemstone cutting, and use them as tools to further cultivate contemporary art sector.
“The STONE SET STONE can be classified as an contemporary art jewellery piece, is commonly regarded as a form of wearable art, and it is a type of artwork created by artists active in our contemporary era,” said Li, noting that it is like defining art itself, a canvas for self-expression, experimentation, and challenging traditional jewellery norms.
Li further noted that just as the precise description by Toktam NourKeyhani, a critic in the fields of contemporary art jewellery, also the founder of TLikeTwinkle, that contemporary art jewellery is a dynamic fusion of art and jewellery, pushing beyond the boundaries of its comfort zone.
“It [contemporary art jewellery] is an art form that breaks traditional rules and fearlessly ventures into bold artistic explorations. These creations are not merely decorative, they are masterpieces of space and concept,” said Li.
By utilizing various craftsmanship under different cultural backgrounds, Li’s artwork prompts viewers to reflect that despite their origins in different cultural contexts, these gemstones are essentially both stones. In other words, seemingly disparate cultures are fundamentally similar at their core.
This bold innovation not only pushes the boundaries of contemporary art through craftsmanship but also allows viewers to deeply experience the interplay and exchange between cultures while appreciating the artwork. During Li’s academic journey, she delved deeply into various intangible cultural heritage crafts to explore innovative realms of contemporary art, infusing her artistic practice with new vitality.
STONE SET STONE reimagines traditional inlay methods by using one stone to set another. This combination creates a striking visual contrast that emphasises the inherent qualities of the materials, the work reflects cultural hybridity, suggesting that culture is not a closed, singular entity but a dynamic amalgamation of multiple elements. “Through this collection, I encourage viewers to contemplate the relationship between personal identity and hybrid societies,” said Li.
At the annual London Craft Week 2024, invited by the Blackdot Gallery, Li together with her STONE SET STONE came under the spotlight of the art festival. London Craft Week is a famous festival celebrating exceptional craftsmanship and outstanding British and international creativity, the festival brings together over 750 established and emerging makers, designers, artists and galleries from around the world.
Li’s artworks sparked widespread discussion at the festival, as STONE SET STONE not only challenged the audience’s established perceptions of traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship but also reflected her contemplation on cultural exchange and personal identity in a context of cultural hybridity.
When discussing which artistic themes or concepts she hopes to continue exploring, Li stated that identity, history, and culture are the main themes in her current works. “As people’s social and cultural identities are always in flux and changing, I look forward to documenting this dynamic process through contemporary art piece.”
As a contemporary artist working and living in London, Li’s artistic creation perspective starts from her personal cultural experiences, exploring her position in a multicultural British society. Her work demonstrates the power of art to transcend cultural barriers and foster deeper connections between individuals and communities, promoting connections and communication between local British residents and immigrant communities, helping immigrant communities to find a harmonious balance between British culture and their own traditions. In the future, she plans to continue her artistic creations with various mediums including sculpture and painting. She aims to organise workshops within local communities in the UK through her crafts making technique, teaching traditional crafts to both locals and immigrants to foster a deeper understanding of multiculturalism, allowing people to experience the culture behind the craft. As Li continues to push the boundaries of her practice, she remains an undeniable force in the contemporary art landscape.
