Stina Wen: like a fist
Concrete and silver may not seem like a complementary combination. In the hands of Stina Siqiong Wen (M.F.A., jewelry), these materials are fused to create jewelry that is desirable, delicate, and strong. No element is dominant, no quality sacrificed in rings and earrings whose pops of color add attractive punctation.
A native of Guangzhou, China, and member of Ethical Metalsmiths’ EM Students program, Stina is an exemplar among SCAD international students, having worked as a graduate mentor in both group and one-to-one settings, and as a project translator for this year’s SCADpro initiative with Chanel.
Stina demonstrates a sensitivity to materials, and to how her creations “create a dynamic interaction between wearer and viewer.” When the concrete in her jewelry becomes patinated by the natural oils of the skin, water and soap on a soft toothbrush are all that’s required for maintenance.
Under the guidance of department chair Jay H. Song (M.F.A., jewelry, 2000), Stina’s jewelry was featured to popular success at this year’s Trunk Show, part of SCAD Fashion Week.
Stina Siqiong Wen:
My undergraduate coursework mainly focused on traditional jewelry and metalsmith techniques. As I advanced into the jewelry graduate program at SCAD, I began to explore alternative materials, including concrete. Concrete usually gives us a cold and stiff feeling. I make it colorful because I want to show how interesting the material can be. I experimented with several ways to add color to concrete, and found that colored powder and acrylic paint work best.
I love both traditional metals and innovative materials in jewelry, and the combination inspires me. I always want to challenge the material. When I challenged the reality of concrete, I decided to make it look as soft as fabric. I made some molds out of leather, which allowed me to create interesting shapes. Some people think it looks like a fist. I like that comment, and yes, jewelry can sometimes show our power.
SCAD Fashion Week is a big event for the SCAD jewelry community, which includes students, alumni, and faculty. People who visit are genuinely interested in art and fashion and willing to accept new things. Therefore, I decided to sell my contemporary concrete pieces instead of traditional commercial precious-material-only pieces. I hope people see how beautiful or interesting jewelry can be regardless of the value of the material.
As a graduate student at SCAD, I cultivate my willingness to show people outside of the jewelry department how amazing I am: I not only appreciate diamonds and gems, I am a creative and innovative future-forward artist who creates beautiful new work. While I promote myself regularly through posting on my social media and telling my friends, Trunk Show is an excellent opportunity to show our department and students’ works. I am so glad we were able to have a virtual show this year, which proved to be an even better way to show our work to a larger audience.
Visit Stina Wen.
Written by Peter Relic.
