YUXIAO ZHU
China
Dazzling birth
Theatre of Life is a series of contemporary spiritual jewelry that explores the profound connection between humanity and spiritual solace. The series unfolds in three acts, Dazzling Birth, Roses and Death and Lie Down. Each act portrays a transformation within the journey of life – transitioning from birth to death, from motion to stillness – exploring the energy of life’s changes. Through painted storytelling, the series invites viewers to engage in a dialogue about the voyage of life.
The first act, Dazzling Birth, features a sculptural ring symbolizing the beginning of life, with Yggdrasil (World Tree) cradling a newborn. The baby holds a tiny coffin, foreshadowing the next act, Roses and Death.
Material
copper, acrylic paint, gel nail polish
Technique
Press forming for the overall shape, sawing to create silhouettes of beings, and bending to represent a crowd witnessing the “Dazzling Birth.” The ring is also constructed with an adjustable nut and bolt structure, allowing it to be disassembled and adapt.
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.
