Sheng Zhang

Silversmith

©MDRN LOVE

©Shannon Tofts

Geometric silver sculptures

Sheng makes contemporary sculptures out of silver
His minimalist design relies on traditional techniques
He studied jewellery making in China and the UK

Sheng Zhang is a contemporary silversmith from China, now based in the United Kingdom. His education began at the University of Geosciences in Wuhan and he soon decided to do an exchange trip to Birmingham School of Jewellery. He spent several years at UK universities honing his craft and design skills. Since graduating in 2018, Sheng has been working as a part-time lecturer while participating in multiple Artist-in-Residence programmes. Now he works as an independent creative silversmith. His works in silver bring together carefully crafted silver and skillful minimalist design. When working on a piece, he checks the quality of his object through a self-imposed validation loop, where his work goes between idea, research and prototypes, until Sheng is fully satisfied with the result. Sheng has won the Young Professional Award from the Netherlands Silver Museum and multiple Goldsmiths' Crafts and Design Council awards. His work is part of permanent collections at institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Goldsmiths' Company, and he has worked on commissions for clients like Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance.

Interview

©Paul Read

©MDRN LOVE

What do you like about your craft?: I wasn’t sure if I was going to like silversmithing, but once I sat down at the bench and really began the work it was so satisfying for me. It is sort of like a therapy, once I start making something, I don’t need to think about anything else. I just concentrate on what I am doing.
What is your process of design and making?: There is always a validation loop and it is a back and forth process. I normally come up with an idea and start doing research, sketches, test pieces and prototypes. If something goes wrong, I stop, review and optimise the design and making process, and try again.
What is the inspiration behind your work?: I would say that I am inspired by minimalist art, contemporary architectural sculpture and geometrical shapes. There is a lot of simplicity in my work and minimal design. My Inside Out work is about the relationship between the space within and around the work.
How does your work fit with the traditional craft of silversmithing?: Although I use traditional silversmith techniques and skills, I still really enjoy applying contemporary ideas to traditional materials and techniques. I like to challenge the preconceptions and expectations of tradition, the values and use of silver.

Sheng Zhang is a rising star: he began his career in 2018 and he started teaching in 2018