School of Design Silversmithing & Jewellery

Jiamin Lao

Combining embroidery with contemporary jewellery design is the focus of this collection. These embroidery works express the theme of conveying blessings in a social environment, through colours, patterns, wearing methods, and different materials. My research considers the idea of blessing in traditional cultures applied to modern high-pressure environments. My work challenges the possibility of recreating textures by mixing grains with embroidery, e.g., rice, red beans, and peanuts, which have sincere meanings in Chinese culture. In addition, bright colours extracted from cloth tigers (traditional Chinese toys, given as gifts to newborn babies) unify the design style of this series of works.

Contact
aiplaojiamin@126.com
j.lao1@student.gsa.ac.uk
Works
Blessing: the necklace 1
Blessing: the necklace 2
Blessing: the necklace 3
Blessing: the brooch
Blessing: the back cushion

Blessing: the necklace 1

This necklace is inspired by the bright colours and patterns on cloth tigers. I expressed these blessing elements in the way of embroidery. I hope I can convey my blessings through these works. The way of wearing the work comes from the research on baby swaddle wrap. When babies are wrapped in cloth, they will feel safe and stop crying. I want to use this idea for reference in my work. When adults wear this work, the soft feel of the fabric and blessing pattern will also alleviate the pressure from contemporary society.

Blessing: the necklace 1

Material: Fabric, beads, cotton, thread, silver wire

Blessing: the necklace 2

Blessing: the necklace 2

Material: fabric, beads, wool, cotton, thread, silver wire

Blessing: the necklace 3

Blessing: the necklace 3

Material: fabric, beads, wool, leather, rice, wax, clay, cotton, thread, silver wire

Blessing: the brooch

Blessing: the brooch

Material: fabric, beads, cotton, thread, silver wire

Blessing: the back cushion

Blessing: the back cushion

Material: Fabric, cotton, thread, wool