Jewellery & Metal (MA)
Qiang (Helen) Li
AWARDS：
Winner of Annoushka Charm of Hope Competition, London May. 2020
Bronze Award in 2019 International Jewelry Design Competition, China Aug. 2019
Winner of Platinum International Jewellery Design Competition, China June. 2019
EXHIBITIONS:
The 10th International Triennial of Paper 2020, Musée de Charme, Switzerland
Vernissage MASK Exhibiton, 2020, Gallery Alice Floriano, Brazil. (Online)
London × Beijing × Tokyo Jewellery Culture Exhibition 2020, Beijing
The Magnet Show, 2020, www.themagnetshow.com (Online)
Quintessence of Consciousness Contemporary Art Exhibition 2020, London (Online)
Growth & Evolution International Jewellery Exhibition 2020, Kunming (Delayed)
London×Tokyo Jewellery Culture Exhibition 2020, London
Jewellery Venice Design Week Selection 2019, Venice
2019 Beijing International Jewellery Art Exhibition, Beijing
Matter-Morphosis Jewellery Show 2019, London
Rising Stars 2019 Exhibition, Farnham
The Ornament New Year Exhibition 2019, London
Qiang (Helen) Li is a Jewellery & Object designer and artist based in London. After studying product design, she is interested in exploring the connections between art and design, form and function. Her jewellery work is a means of communicating new concepts relating to body and decoration. While industrial, mechanical and textile design influence her works, she breaks with traditional silversmith and goldsmith work and experiments with forms and materials. Her technical practice explores interactions between jewellery and desire leading to "fun jewellery" and inventive creations.
The Chocolate Box — “The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
The Chocolate Box Collection I — Size: 220 x 220 x 70mm Materials: sterling silver, brass, gold-plated brass, copper, stainless steel, gilding metal, wood, ceramic, gemstones, pearls, textile, glass, leather, paper, magnets.
24 Karat Gold — Brooch; Size: 160 x 45 x 26mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, stainless steel； Photograph by Jun Ma
24 Karat Gold — Brooch; Size: 160 x 45 x 26mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, stainless steel, chocolate; Photograph by Jun Ma
24 Karat Gold — Brooch; Size: 160 x 45 x 26mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, stainless steel, chocolate; Photograph by Jun Ma; Model：Jizu Xu
24 Karat Gold — Brooch; Size: 160 x 45 x 26mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, stainless steel, chocolate; Photograph by Jun Ma Model：Jizu Xu
24 Karat Gold — Brooch; Size: 160 x 45 x 26mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, stainless steel, chocolate; Photograph by Jun Ma; Model：Jizu Xu
24 Karat Gold — Brooch; Size: 160 x 45 x 26mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, stainless steel, chocolate
ChocMate — Necklace; Size: 34 x 34 x 8mm; Materials: gold-plated silver, gemstones; Total metal weight: 48g; Gemstones: Topaz, 1.88ct, 8mm x 2 no.s=2.76ct, round; Citrine, 1.26ct, 13mm x 4mm x 1 no.s=1.26ct, baguette; Pink tourmaline, 0.15ct, 3.5mm x 2 no.s= 0.3ct, round; Tourmaline, 0.45ct, 3mm x 4 no.s= 1.8ct, square; Tourmaline, 0.8ct, 6mm x 3mm x 2=1.8ct, baguette; Topaz, 0.06ct, 2.5mm x 2 no.s=0.12ct, square; Pearl, 0.4mm x 2 no.s, half cut; Photograph by Jun Ma
ChocMate — Necklace; Size: 34 x 34 x 8mm; Materials: gold-plated silver, gemstones; Total metal weight: 48g; Gemstones: Topaz, 1.88ct, 8mm x 2 no.s=2.76ct, round; Citrine, 1.26ct, 13mm x 4mm x 1 no.s=1.26ct, baguette; Pink tourmaline, 0.15ct, 3.5mm x 2 no.s= 0.3ct, round; Tourmaline, 0.45ct, 3mm x 4 no.s= 1.8ct, square; Tourmaline, 0.8ct, 6mm x 3mm x 2=1.8ct, baguette; Topaz, 0.06ct, 2.5mm x 2 no.s=0.12ct, square; Pearl, 0.4mm x 2 no.s, half cut; Photograph by Jun Ma
ChocMate — Necklace; Size: 34 x 34 x 8mm; Materials: gold-plated silver, gemstones; Total metal weight: 48g; Gemstones: Topaz, 1.88ct, 8mm x 2 no.s=2.76ct, round; Citrine, 1.26ct, 13mm x 4mm x 1 no.s=1.26ct, baguette; Pink tourmaline, 0.15ct, 3.5mm x 2 no.s= 0.3ct, round; Tourmaline, 0.45ct, 3mm x 4 no.s= 1.8ct, square; Tourmaline, 0.8ct, 6mm x 3mm x 2=1.8ct, baguette; Topaz, 0.06ct, 2.5mm x 2 no.s=0.12ct, square; Pearl, 0.4mm x 2 no.s, half cut; Photograph by Jun Ma
ChocMate — Necklace; Size: 34 x 34 x 8mm; Materials: gold-plated silver, gemstones; Total metal weight: 48g; Gemstones: Topaz, 1.88ct, 8mm x 2 no.s=2.76ct, round; Citrine, 1.26ct, 13mm x 4mm x 1 no.s=1.26ct, baguette; Pink tourmaline, 0.15ct, 3.5mm x 2 no.s= 0.3ct, round; Tourmaline, 0.45ct, 3mm x 4 no.s= 1.8ct, square; Tourmaline, 0.8ct, 6mm x 3mm x 2=1.8ct, baguette; Topaz, 0.06ct, 2.5mm x 2 no.s=0.12ct, square; Pearl, 0.4mm x 2 no.s, half cut; Photograph by Jun Ma
“The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
Medium:
Gold-plated silver, gold-plated brass, stainless steel, gemstones, pearls.Size:
220 x 220 x 70mm.
Heart in heart - Liqueur — Hand piece & Pendant; Size: 45 x 43 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, cold enamel, topaz
Heart in heart - Liqueur — Hand piece & Pendant; Size: 45 x 43 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, cold enamel, topaz
Heart in heart - Liqueur — Hand piece & Pendant; Size: 45 x 43 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, cold enamel, topaz
Pearl Fondant Cream — Pendant/ Hand held piece; Size: 88 x 60 x 54mm; Materials: patinated bronze, patinated gilding metal, copper, silver, Baroque pearl
Pearl Fondant Cream — Pendant/ Hand held piece; Size: 88 x 60 x 54mm; Materials: patinated bronze, patinated gilding metal, copper, silver, Baroque pearl
Pearl Fondant Cream — Pendant/ Hand held piece; Size: 88 x 60 x 54mm; Materials: patinated bronze, patinated gilding metal, copper, silver, Baroque pearl
Nut Case — Ring; Size: 27 x 26 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, ebony, natural pearls, magnets
Nut Case (open) — Ring; Size: 27 x 26 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, ebony, natural pearls, magnets
Nut Case — Ring; Size: 27 x 26 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, ebony, natural pearls, magnets
Dream Truffle — Ring; Size: 35 x 22 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, enamel, glass
Dream Truffle (open) — Ring; Size: 35 x 22 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, enamel, glass
Dream Truffle — Ring; Size: 35 x 22 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, enamel, glass
“The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
Medium:
Sterling silver, bronze, copper, stainless steel, gilding metal, wood, gemstone, pearl, glass, magnets.Size:
220 x 220 x 70mm
Bite Chocolate I — Necklace; Size: 28 x 18 x 10mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, magnets; Photograph by Jun Ma
Bite Chocolate I — Necklace; Size: 28 x 18 x 10mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, magnets; Photograph by Jun Ma
Bite Chocolate I — Necklace; Size: 28 x 18 x 10mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, magnets; Photograph by Jun Ma
Bite Chocolate II — Necklace; Size: 28 x 18 x 10mm; Materials: sterling silver, magnets; Photograph by Jun Ma
Bite Chocolate I — Necklace; Size: 28 x 18 x10mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, magnets; Photograph by Jun Ma; Model: Jizu Xu
Pandoremic — Necklace; Size: 25 x 25 x 22mm; Materials: brass, rhodium-plated brass, sterling silver, stainless steel; Photograph by Jun Ma
Pandoremic I (open) — Necklace; Size: 25 x 25 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, stainless steel; Photograph by Jun Ma
Pandoremic I — Necklace; Size: 25 x 25 x 22mm; Materials: sterling silver, stainless steel; Photograph by Jun Ma
Pandoremic II — Necklace; Size: 25 x 25 x 22mm; Materials: brass, sterling silver, gold-plated stainless steel
Pandoremic III — Necklace; Size: 25 x 25 x 22mm; Materials: rhodium-plated brass, sterling silver, stainless steel; Model: Jizu Xu
Rocky Road — Ring; Size: 40 x 22 x 22mm; Materials: raw garnet, sterling silver
Rocky Road — Ring; Size: 40 x 22 x 22mm; Materials: raw garnet, sterling silver
“The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
Medium:
Silver, bronze, rhodium-plated brass, brass, stainless steel, magnets, raw garnetSize:
220 x 220 x 70mm
Tonka Rocher I (a) — Ring; Size: 72 x 35 x 35mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, textile
Tonka Rocher I (b) — Ring; Size: 72 x 35 x 35mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, textile
Tonka Rocher II — Brooch; Size: 72 x 35 x 35mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, textile
Bow — Brooch; Size: 80 x 40 x 55mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, textile
Bow-Tie — Necklace; Size: 456 x 170 x 40mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, gilding metal, silver, textile
Tie — Necklace; Size: 456 x 170 x 1.2mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, gilding metal, silver, textile, chocolate
Tie — Necklace; Size: 456 x 170 x 1.2mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, gilding metal, silver; Model: Ildar Wafin
“The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
Medium:
Gold-plated brass, gilding metal, textile, chocolateSize:
220 x 220 x 70mm
Chocolate Selection II — Materials: ceramic, glass, chocolate, paper, plastic
Mini Box — Materials: ceramic, glass, gemstones, paper
Who stole my chocolate? — Necklace; Size: 200 x 200 x 30mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, ceramic, gemstones, glass, paper, chocolate
Who stole my chocolate? (detail) — Necklace; Size: 200 x 200 x 30mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, ceramic, gemstones, glass, paper, chocolate
Who stole my chocolate? (detail) — Necklace; Size: 200 x 200 x 30mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, ceramic, gemstones, glass, paper, chocolate
Chocolate Brooches — Brooch; Size:25 x 25 x 18mm; Materials: gold-plated brass, ceramic
Ceramic Chocolates — Objects; Materials: ceramic, glass
“The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
Medium:
Gold-plated brass, ceramic, glass, gemstones, paper, chocolatesSize:
185 x 185 x 28mm
The Chocolate Box Selection III - Dark Treasure — Rings; Size: 180 x 60 x 42mm; Materials: ebony, gold-plated brass, silver, gemstones, natural pearls, magnets
Dark Treasure I — Ring; Size: 35 x 20 x 37mm; Materials: ebony, gold-plated brass.
Dark Treasure II — Ring; Size: 35 x 20 x 37mm; Materials: ebony, gold-plated brass, natural pearls, magnets.
Dark Treasure III — Ring; Size: 18 x 20 x 28mm; Materials: ebony, gold-plated brass, zircons
Dark Treasure IIII — Ring; Size: 20 x 20 x 28mm; Materials: ebony, gold-plated brass, silver
Dark Treasure V — Ring; Size: 20 x 20 x 28mm; Materials: ebony, gold-plated brass
Dark Treasure
“The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
Medium:
Ebony, gold-plated brass, silver, gemstones, natural pearls, magnetsSize:
180 x 60 x 42mm
Selection IIII - Stone — Size: 145 x 155 x 26mm; Materials: stones, ceramic, chocolates
Rocky Ores — Materials: symbiotic crystal ore, Hematite
Toffee — Size: 20 x 20 x 10mm; Material: siderite; Photograph by Jingbo Li
Ganache — Size: 20 x 20 x 10mm; Material: hematite; Photograph by Jingbo Li
Nugget Cheese — Size: 20 x 20 x 10mm; Material: goldstone; Photograph by Jingbo Li
Day & Dusk — Size: 20 x 20 x 12mm; Material: smoky quartz; Photograph by Jingbo Li
Smoky Caramel — Size: 20 x 20 x 15mm; Material: smoky quartz; Photograph by Jingbo Li
Honey Caramel — Size: 20 x 20 x 15mm; Material: goldstone; Photograph by Jingbo Li
The Chocolate Box Menu — You can choose your “flavorite” !
“The Chocolate Box” is inspired by the line from the 1994 Robert Zemeckis Film ‘Forrest Gump’: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” I am exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both chocolate and jewellery. They are related to love, joy, luxury, romance, satisfaction, treasure, and sometimes you get a surprise. The work is displayed as a collection in a luxurious box, each individual piece is a playful piece of jewellery for you to wear.
Medium:
Stones, chocolatesSize:
145 x 155 x 26mm
The De-stress Box — The “De-stress Box” explores functional and interactive jewelry in a creative way. It examines ways of relieving stress using interaction with jewelry. Each piece in the box is playful and healing in a different way, for example rubbing on the skin, twiddling with your fingers, or playing a game. There are pieces designed for de-stressing either mentally or physically.
Jumpy — Ring; Materials: gold-plated brass, natural Baroque pearls, zircon, magnets; Size: 35 x 20 x 37mm
Jumpy — Ring; Materials: gold-plated brass, natural Baroque pearls, Zircon, magnets; Size: 35 x 20 x 37mm
Nice Move — Ring; Materials: sterling silver, magnets; Size: 40 x 40 x 25mm
Nice Move — Ring; Materials: sterling silver, magnets; Size: 40 x 40 x 25mm
Mazing — Ring; Materials: gold-plated brass, zircon, wood, acrylic; Size: 24 x 24 x 36mm
Hint message — Pendant/ object; Materials: gold-plated brass, wood, acrylic, glass; Size: 40 x 40 x 35mm
Shuffle — Pendant; Materials: gold-plated brass, silver, wood, acrylic, magnets; Size: 30 x 30 x 10mm
The “De-stress Box” explores functional and interactive jewelry in a creative way. It examines ways of relieving stress using interaction with jewelry. Each piece in the box is playful and healing in a different way, for example rubbing on the skin, twiddling with your fingers or playing a game. There are pieces designed for de-stressing either mentally or physically.
Medium:
Sterling silver, brass, Gold-plated gilding metal, copper, stainless steel, wood, acrylic, gemstones, natural pearls, felted wool, magnets, bubble paper, plastic.Size:
Size: 176 x 132 x 40mm
Silky Smoothy — Ring; Materials: sterling silver, natural pearls; Size: 25 x 12 x 18mm
Silky Smoothy — Ring; Materials: sterling silver, natural pearls; Size: 25 x 12 x 18mm
Twiddle — Ring; Materials: sterling silver, stainless steel, plastic; Size: 20 x 20 x 28mm
Wobble — Ring; Materials: gold-plated brass, natural baroque pearls, stainless steel; Size: 24 x 9 x 46mm
Wiggle — Necklace; Materials: gold-plated brass, gold-plated silver, natural baroque pearls, stainless steel, zircons; Size: 20 x 9 x 9mm
Squashy — Pocket piece; Materials: gold-plated brass, ebony, stainless steel, bubble paper
Squishy — Ring; Materials: gold-plated brass, pearl, felted wool; Size: 20 x 15 x 40mm
Switch — Ring; Materials: brass, stainless steel, plastic; Size: 20 x 10 x 30mm
The De-stress Box
The “De-stress Box” explores functional and interactive jewelry in a creative way. It examines ways of relieving stress using interaction with jewelry. Each piece in the box is playful and healing in a different way, for example rubbing on the skin, twiddling with your fingers, or playing a game. There are pieces designed for de-stressing either mentally or physically.
Medium:
Silver, brass, gold-plated gilding metal, copper, stainless steel, wood, acrylic, gemstones, natural pearls, felted wool, magnets, bubble paper, plastic.Size:
Size: 176 x 132 x 40mm
Sweet Moon — Necklace; Materials: 14 karat white gold, Tourmalines, Moissanite, Horse eye zircons
Icecream — Ring; Materials: sterling silver, zircons; Size: 32 x 22 x 22mm
Strawberry — Ring; Materials: sterling silver; Size: 36 x 23 x 23mm
Berry Chocolate — Brooch; Materials: sterling silver; Size: 22 x 14 x 15mm
Choco II — Ring; Materials: sterling silver; Size: 8 x12 x 22mm
Choco III — Range: Earrings; Materials: sterling silver; Size: 8 x15 x12mm
Choco IIII — Necklace; Materials: sterling silver; Size: 10 x15 x 5mm
Gold beans — Earrings; Materials: brass, sterling silver
Sweet bow — Pendant; Materials: sterling silver, topaz, Tourmalines, zircon; Size: 35 x 25 x 12mm
The “Sweet × Heart” collection is exploring the similarities between the strong emotional feelings associated with both sweets and jewellery. It helps people recall sweet memories and precious moments.
Medium:
White gold, sterling silver, gold-plated silver, gemstones.
Yummy — Yummy Collection is made up of food selections in textiles. Each one is a wearable and colorful jewellery piece.
Cookie — Brooch; Materials: silver-plated brass, textile, stainless steel; Size: 50 x 50 x 9mm
Sushi — Brooch; Materials: silver-plated brass, textile, stainless steel; Size: 55 x 30 x 18mm
Pasta — Brooch; Materials: silver-plated brass, textile, stainless steel; Size: 38 x 38 x 25mm
Oreo — Earrings; Materials: silver, textile, stainless steel; Size: 15 x 15 x10mm
Ice lolly — Brooch; Materials: textile, stainless steel, pearls; Size: 24 x 10 x 8mm
Hamburger — Brooch; Materials: textile, silver-plated brass, stainless steel, pearl; Size: 24 x 24 x 58mm
Toast — Brooch; Materials: textile, stainless steel; Size: 60 x 35 x 32mm
Yummy Collection is made up of food selections in textiles. Each one is a wearable and colorful jewellery piece.
Medium:
Textiles, gold-plated brass, stainless steel, pearls.
Mask — Materials: 24 karat gold, silver, quartz, onyx; Size: 145 x 136 x 80mm
Toilet Paper — Materials: 24 karat gold, silver, quartz, onyx; Size: 20 x 14 x 20mm
This project was created at the beginning of the Covid-19 virus, many international students were insulted when they wore the masks. They were treated as though they had the virus or were disseminators. At that time the toilet paper in many countries were sold out. Most people don’t know why but they still rushed to purchase them.
Medium:
24 karat gold, silver, quartz, onyxMemory Palace
Inspired by the kaleidoscope, fragmentary reflections, and castles in the game “Conan Exiles”, the ring “Memory palace” is a minimal palace of memory, vision, self-reflection and exposure to the universe. The hexagonal stone with inclusions is full of imagination and surprises. The human self is like the inclusion in the universe, trying to break away from the memories, but constantly being reflected by the fragments of “self” and “non-self”.
Medium:
18 karat gold, sterling silver, rock crystal with Green MicaSize:
31 x 29 x 31mmIn Collaboration with:
"Memory Palace" is a collaboration with Weikun Yin. She is the gem dealer & gemstone appraiser, and I am the designer of the project.