2012
THE PORTFOLIO of
Metalworks and Jewellery Designs by TSAI, PEI-CHEN
Contents Curriculum Vitae ............................................................................................................ 01 2009-2010 The Final Project: Romantic Chinese love stories ................................................ 03 2007-2009 Other Works ................................................................................................................... 18 2009 2009 2008 2007 2007
The hot-air bloom: dwan and night ............................................................................... The paddy field scenery ................................................................................................. The splendid moment .................................................................................................... The falling flowers .......................................................................................................... Bedtime stories ..............................................................................................................
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2007-2012 Jewelry Design ............................................................................................................... 30 2007 2011-2012
Designed for school project ........................................................................................... 31 Designed for the company ............................................................................................. 33
2012 Jiu-Fen Metalworks Design Studio ........................................................................... 40
Curriculum Vitae Born Education
Awards
Working Experience Blog
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April 27th, 1988, Taipei, Taiwan 2010 Vice President of Graduation Project Committee in Department of Applied Art 2006-2010 Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei,Taiwan Bachelor of Applied Arts Metalwork and Production Design 2010 The Dream of Craft: The Taiwan Craft Competition Finalist 2010 Young Designers' Craft Design competition Finalist 2008 Book Voucher Awar Personalised Restaurant Non-Smoking Logo Design Competition Finalist National LED Creative Design Competition Finalist 2010- 2012 Atlen Jewellery CO., LTD. /Jewellery Designer 2011 Jiu-Fen Metalworks Design Studio http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/peijhentsai-58/
The Final Project Chinese Romantic Love Stories "It is an ever-fixed mark, That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken."   ─ by William Shakespeare (1564-1616) Love is not only the strongest emotion, but also a mysterious one which has been deeplyrooted in people's heart for thousands of years. No matter what races you are, you know that it is hard to fathom the feeling of falling in love; most of people will do anything for their lovers, just like a fool. In addition, Love cannot be touched but enables people to feel it deeply. It may not be sweet all the time but it is one of people's main sources of happiness. One may get hurt when they are in a relationship; however, he or she will not have a complete life without it. In order to praise this kind of strong emotion and to introduce the Chinese traditional cultural to the public, I choose to create three pieces of jewellery based on three famous Chinese romantic love stories. I keep the traditional patterns from ancient artifacts, such as clothes and jewellery, while using the style of Japanese animation(next page) to describe these three stories. I hope young generation can be attracted by the modren style, along with the interest in ancient love stories and our own history. Basically, these three pieces of jewellery are just like pictures. There are two main characters with different elements in the background in each piece. The part of characters is able to be separated from the background part. Supervisor/ Chen, Kou-Jen. Chao, Tan-Chi. Chen, Li-Hao.
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The moment that Yu Ji committed suicide and Xiang Yu was sad because of his beloved's death. 207 x 207 x 8 mm / Brass, Lacquer, CZ
Don't cry for me, my lover ! A love story about Xiang Yu and Yu Ji In 209 BC, Xiang Yu and his uncle Xiang Liang started a rebellion to overthrow the Qin Dynasty. Yu Ji's(also known as "Yu the Beautiful" ) older brother, Yu Ziqi, was serving in Xiang Liang's army as a general then. Yu met Xiang Yu, fell in love with him and became his concubine. Since then, she followed Xiang Yu on military campaigns and refused to remain behind. In 202 BC, Xiang Yu was besieged in the "Battle of Gaixia" by the combined forces of Liu Bang (King of Han), Han Xin and Peng Yue. The Han army started to sing folk songs from Xiang Yu's native land of Chu to create a false impression that they had captured Chu. The morale of Xiang Yu's troops plummeted and several soldiers deserted. In despair, Xiang Yu indulged in alcohol and sang the "Song of Gaixia" to express his sorrow. Yu Ji performed a sword dance and sang a verse in return. To prevent Xiang Yu from being distracted by his love for her, Consort Yu committed suicide with Xiang Yu's sword after singing. She was buried at Gaixia. 2009, 330 x 250 x 250 mm / brass, aluminum, CZ, lacquer 06
Sketch I try to depict the most touching part in this story. And also, to convey that true love is the most powerful emotion.
Reference materials The modeling of clothing and patterns in Qin Dynasty (221-207BC).
In addition, Chinese people regard red poppies as a symbol of Yu Ji's true and faithful love according to the legend. Yu Ji's tomb was covered with lots of red poppies. Therefore, we use her name, Yu the Beautiful, to recognize this kind of flower instead of poppies.
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Lived happily ever after A love story about Fan Li and Xi Shi
I imagine that birds were singing, the wind was blowing gently and everything was so great. They were on a small boat together, enjoying the lake scenery. 93 x 188 x 10 mm / brass 09
King Goujian of Yue, king of Yue, was once imprisoned after a defeat in a war by King Fuchai of Wu, king of the State of Wu. The territory of Yue later became a tributary to Wu. Secretly planning his revenge, Goujian's minister Wen Zhong suggested train beautiful women and offer them to Fuchai as a tribute (knowing Fuchai could not resist beautiful women). His aother minister, Fan Li, found Xi Shi and Zheng Dan, and gifted them to Fuchai in 490 BC. Bewitched by the beauty and kindness of Xi Shi and Zheng Dan, Fuchai forgot all about his state affairs and at their instigation, killed his best advisor, the great general Wu Zixu. Fuchai even built Guanwa Palace (Palace of Beautiful Women) in an imperial park on the slope of Lingyan Hill, about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of Suzhou. The strength of Wu dwindled, and in 473 BC Goujian launched his strike and put the Wu army to full rout. King Fuchai lamented that he should have listened to Wu Zixu, and then he committed suicide. In the legend, after the fall of Wu, Fan Li retired from his ministerial post and lived with Xi Shi on a fishing boat. They roamed like fairies in the misty wilderness of Tai He Lake, and no one saw them ever again. 2010, 330 x 330 x 230 mm / brass, aluminum, CZ, acrylic 10
Reference materials The clothing and patterns in Spring and Autumn Period (770-475 BC).
W i l l o w i s a co m m o n p l a nt by lakes. It is also widely depicted in Chinese ink paintings. Imagining the branches of willows swaying in the wind; how beautiful the picture it is!
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Sketch I want to describe the happiness between Fan Li and Xi Shi; therefore, I combine three elements: water, willow and singing birds.
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Zhou Yu was born in Lujiang Commandery in an influential family with many members who served in high ranking positions in the government; in addition, Xiao Qiao was the daughter of Qiao Xuan. In 200, her older sister,Da Qiao, married Sun Ce and she, Xiao Qiao, married Zhou Yu. According to the history, Zhou Yu was an intelligent young man, who was considered handsome and good-looking by his contemporaries. He was not only good at civil and military affairs but also a multi-talented person with interest in poetry and music. Additionally, Xia Qiao were described to be a famous beauty in the region of south, Yangtze River. She was also good at music and poetry. There was a saying at that time about Zhou Yu's skill in music, "If the tune has a problem, Zhou Yu will fix it." ( 曲有誤 , 周郎顧 ) That is also a story which describes the first time that Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao met and fell in love with each other. Henceforth, Chinese people regard this marriage as a beautiful love story. 2010, 280 x 390 x 300 mm / brass, aluminum, CZ, lacquer 13
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You are my soul mate A love story about Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao
Zhou Yu simply lay in Xiao Qiao's arms and looked into her face with tenderness. There was a Chinese instrument, Pipa, by them. 98.7 x 15.6 x 10 mm / brass, lacquer
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Reference materials The clothing and patterns in Three Kingdoms Period (220-280 AD).
Sketch In this piece, I use "cloud" and "lagerstroemia flowers" in the background, which have auspiccious meanings in Chinese culture. I try to describe the paradise-like life of Zhou Yu and Xiao Qiao. They loved each other very much and lived in happiness.
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Other Works The following pieces of jewellery were made when I studied in the college, Department of Applied Arts. My inspirations came from nature and my life experiences. I am fond of appreciating beauty of nature, which seems to be well-designed, such as flowers and trees. Also, the interaction between light and objects; they are perfect models of learning for me. In addition, my life experiences account of an important part in my creation, such as childhood memories. I tried to discover something beautiful which is visible in our daily lives. To find it, and enjoying it.
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Sketch Inspiration
I put some patterns of stars and clouds on the front side. Additionally, I draw a wing which symbolizes the rising of the sun and a curtain which symbolizes the begining of the night.
Art Deco style
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The hot-air bloom: dawn and night
This is one of my dream. I hope I am able to take a hot-air bloom one day to get up close and personal with the view of the sky. Therefore, I designed a set of brooches, with one standing for "dawn" and the other for "night". Both of them can be opened and there are imagination of the sun and the moon inside. When people take a hot-air bloom in the sky, they will see the natural beauty. Supervisor/ Wang, I-Ting
2009, Brooches / 50 x 50 x 10 mm / copper, brass, enamel 20
Sketch I am fascinated by the Art Novuveau style. Therefore, I created an Art-Novuveau style frame in this piece to made it looks like a beautiful landscape.
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Inspiration
Art Nouveau Style
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The paddy field scenery
Paddy field is a common scenery in southern China and Taiwan. When I traveled to southern Taiwan, I saw a vast field of paddies; when the paddy had not grown up, the field was filled with water. Because the sunlight made water glinted, it looked wonderful. Supervisor/ Lu, Jei-Chih 2009, Barrette / 50 x 70 x 10 mm / 999sliver, 925sliver, brass, enamel
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Sketch Inspiration
Basically, there are three levels in this piece. One is the "window"; one is an imagination of a balcony; another one is the "explosive firework".
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The splendid moment Windows are a special thing for me. Through the windows, we are able to see various things; I think sometimes it can reflect one's personality. I am always fond of finding something beautiful on the other side of windows, which may bring us joys in our busy days. In this piece, I tried to present an imagination of the moment that fireworks explode in the air, which is the most marvelous part in a display. Supervisor/ Lu, Jei-Chih
2008, Necklace / 80 x 40 x 10 mm / copper, brass 24
Sketch In order to create several same flower patterns, I used the technique of "stamping". I carved a cylindrical steel into the shape and stamped it on a piece of copper.
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Inspiration
American Artist Marilyn Da Silva
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The falling flowers Autumn is the most wonderful period of time among the four seasons for me, because the weather is cool and comfortable. It is also a season that everything starts to die before they are reborn. Additionally, when autumn comes, with colour changes in leaves and flowers, and the surface of earth is just like a painting which is totally refreshed in different colours. The main idea in this piece is to present the imagination about falling of flowers. Supervisor/ Lu, Jei-Chih
2007, Earrings / 90 x 30 mm / copper, coloured pencil 2007, Hair bands / 120 x 130 x 60 mm / copper, coloured pencil
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Bedtime stories When I was young, my parents always read a story for me before I went to bed. I had to listen to a story then I was able to fall asleep. That was an unforgettable memory. Today, reading stories enriches my imagination and creativity, especialy connecting with history and culture. Supervisor/ Chen, Kou-Jen
2007, Necklace / 30 x 40 x 10 mm / brass
Inspiration
Sketch I created a book-shaped box with my name on the front side and an imagine of a bedroom inside, in which there is a bed, a curtain and a lamp. I made it look old as a part of my memory.
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Jewellery Design The following pictures are my works when I studied at the school and worked for an jewellery company from 2006 to 2012.
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Designed for school projects
These are my exercises. The left one, I choosed a basic shape and developed several different designs. The right ones were designed for a competition, which required a piece of jade jewellery. My inspiration was butterfly, love and Mondrian. 2007 31
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Jiu-Fen Metalworks Design Studio I am cooperating with one of my friends who is running a shop in Jiu Fen, Taipei. I made some pieces of jewellery by hand and then put them in her shop for sale. This is a great opportunity for me to learn how to cooperate with somebody else and to run a small business by myself.
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The rose 2012 Roses, a symbol of love, are always girls' favorite. So I created this collection just for girls. I designed it into thorn-shaped, with coral and pink crystal. 41
The Chinese Lattice Window 2012 I love the artistic conception in Chinese culture, which always stimulates my inspiration. Therefore, I chose five traditional Chinese lattice patterns and five plants which have auspicious meanings to create this collection. The pendants above are pine, bamboo, plum flower, orchid and peony in sequence.
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