Page 8 - Collection Jan 2021

P RO F I L E 人物

Cindy’s career made a crucial turn when
she learnt about the ancient wax sculpting
technique. To her surprise, architecture and
jewellery do share traits: colours, structure,
layers, space, light, curves, and turns, these
elements are also applicable to the world of
jewellery. The artist immediately realised how
her passion for architecture can be extended
to jewellery design. “I typically start with wax
sculpting because this technique tremendously
helps me concretise my imagination and
visualise my Art Jewel. This cannot be easily
achieved through two-dimensional sketches
alone. The technique allows me to make
miniature sculptures in the same way architects
design buildings. Although the medium of my
expressions is different from my father’s and
my grandfather’s, the spirit is one and the same, “ I tend to have pieces that are brighter in
and the family legacy is passed on.”
In 2007, Cindy became the first jewellery artist from colour to light up the mood. The joyous and
Taiwan to have a jewellery piece presented at Christie’s New
York fine jewellery auction, in which her signature sculpted positive energy an artwork brings to me
Four Seasons Collection debuted. In 2010, her 2009 Black
Label Masterpiece I “Royal Butterfly Brooch” was inducted certainly expands to other aspects of my life.”
into the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural
History’s gem collection. Since 2016, Cindy Chao has become Creating a jewellery masterpiece is a time-consuming
a well-received name frequently appearing at renowned art and delicate process, especially with the techniques
fairs including Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris, Masterpiece Cindy imposes on her creations. From wax sculpting,
London and TEFAF Maastricht. Most recently in January, sketching, gemstone selection, moulding, metalworking,
her first annual butterfly brooch, the 2008 Black Label and setting, every stage has its standards to meet. All these
Masterpiece I “Ruby Butterfly Brooch” was inducted into technical strains and complications inevitably result in a
the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, marking the first prolonged production period of at least two years. With her
for a contemporary jewellery artist to be inducted into the persistence for perfection and respect for the savoir-faire
museum’s acclaimed permanent collection. CINDY CHAO The of jewellery crafting, Cindy often reworks a piece more than
Art Jewel is now the synonym to credibility and artistic value. a dozen times regardless of the cost, just to make sure that
Needless to say, these achievements are easier said the creation is exactly what she has envisioned. She would
than done. Cindy explained that the toughest challenge for also travel to visit the ateliers in Switzerland and France
an Asian face to have a finger in the already established every other two to three weeks to see and feel the pieces
world of jewellery, which is dominated by the West, is in progress, and brainstorm with the craftsmen, which the
to build up an image among international collectors. To designer described as “very rewarding to feed off of each
Cindy Chao and Tom
many, this may seem to be an obstacle, but to Cindy, it has other’s energy and ideas, and bring forth the beautiful
Postma, Dutch architect
been a driving force in the past 15 years. “It is true that co-designing the stand in works of art”.
European jewellery brands, given their historical and cultural TEFAF 2020 A frequent traveller herself, a home has its very special
significance, have always been particularly appreciated Cindy 與荷蘭建築藝術家 meaning to Cindy. “In 2004, I started my brand in a small
Tom Postma合力為
by collectors worldwide. Hence it may be more difficult 2020年歐洲美術博覽會 office when I returned to Taiwan from New York after
for Eastern designers to establish their brands. As Asia 的場地設計 studying at GIA. Taiwan is the starting point of my business.
is on the rise of its economic power, the Western market Taiwan is my home as I was born and raised there. Home is
has been more interested in Eastern aesthetic and trends. a place for relaxation and comfort. I am a business owner,
Essentially the two feed off each other’s energy. I always see 2008 Black Label a creative designer and a travel enthusiast. I have been
Masterpiece I “Ruby
my style integrating Eastern architectural and sculptural Butterfly Brooch” travelling throughout the year, meeting people from around
training I have inherited from my family in combination with the world while getting my design inspiration everywhere.
the Western jewellery craftsmanship dating back to 300 I decorate my home by myself because home is a place for
years ago. It has proven to be cross-cultural and can be 2020 Black Label me to relax, and I am the only person who know what’s the
Masterpiece II “Green
appreciated by a wide range of individuals.” Plumule Brooch” best for me as a comfort place. I tend to have pieces that

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