Capturing seasons in silver
- Chao-Hsien works with lost wax casting and anticlastic forming
- She was awarded goldsmith of year 2022 by the Finnish Goldsmiths' Association
- Her pieces are deeply influenced by Finland's nature
Chao-Hsien Kuo eternalises the four seasons through elegant jewellery and sculpture. Trained in New York and Finland, she builds on traditional mastery to poetically reflect the quiet effervescence of Finnish nature. "I continually explore new possibilities. The process of working entirely by hand brings me a sense of satisfaction nothing can replace,” Chao-Hsien says. Through anticlastic forming, a silversmithing discipline, she dynamically captures the movement of plants, trees and wind. "I hand texture silver to create fabric-like forms that shimmer and come alive when held by hand," she says. Her work was twice included in annual group exhibition at the New York Museum of Arts and Design, and is featured in the public collection of jewellery in the Finnish National Gallery. Crafted from responsibly sourced recycled silver, Chao-Hsien makes each piece to endure and be passed down through generations.
Interview
- How did you come to jewellery making?
- In 1991, during my first year studying commercial design in Taipei, I visited an exhibition of contemporary gold jewellery by a Taiwanese artist. It left a deep impression on me. At that time, I did not even know that this field existed.
- Do you think new technologies will impact your craft?
- I am in love with traditional techniques. While technology has contributed to the growing trend of fast design and fast art, works created with the expertise, patience and dedication of a skilled craftsperson will always remain relevant, and perhaps become even more valued in the future.
- Which aspects of nature inspire your process?
- I have been photographing nature since my school years and have collected thousands of images. I am drawn to subjects that simply make me happy when I see them. In Finland, the sunlight creates magic in nature, so light itself plays an important role in my creative process.
- What excites you the most about making jewellery?
- Knowing that my jewellery becomes a part of someone’s life and lives on with them makes me proud of my work. Everything I create is intentional and meaningful. I love how silver responds to me. It feels like having a conversation: we work together to achieve what I envision.
Chao-Hsien Kuo is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2004
Where
Chao-Hsien Kuo
