Yiru Zhang

Yiru is a jewellery artist based in London. Coming from an engineering background, her previous work was mainly about multifunctional and modular jewellery, and her current practice is specifically focused on the structural characteristics of objects that people use in everyday life and engages with the aesthetics of mechanics.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Jewellery & Metal, Royal College of Art, London, UK, 2021

Graduate Diploma Art & Design: Humanities, Royal College of Art, London, UK, 2019

Bachelor of Engineering of Gemmology and Material Technology Sciences, Gemmological Institute China, University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China, 2018

The main intention and concept of Yiru’s work is about regarding jewellery as both accessories and objects. Prompting people to start seeing the emotions and metaphors behind things that they may not have observed around them is another aim. Yiru tries to change the context of everyday objects to bring attention to interactive mechanical structures.

Tuck Lock

Closure Series Overview

Button Movement

Cross-section of the Button

Inspired by a tuck lock on the bag, an enlarged bag lock structure which has a spring inside to support the button, is used as a connecting point in all the designs.

Support Ring

Button Movement

Support Ring

Support is a ring that can be split in two as well as joined together, that can be worn on different fingers.

Medium:

Electroplated Silver, Stainless Steel Spring

Size:

29.6 x 19.6 x 7.7 mm

Geometry Jewellery Kinetic Mechanic Object Structure

Rotation Ring

Button Movement

Rotation Ring

Rotation and Support Rings

4 Rotation Rings

Rotation is a ring that adapts a ring setting design and utilises it as a joining mechanism, linking individual ring components end-to-end to form the larger circle of a bracelet or necklace.