We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Suyu Chen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Suyu below.
Hi Suyu, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I decided to study arts and crafts in college and since then, I have practiced arts for over 10 years, especially in art jewelry for about 8 years. My formative years within an academic framework furnished me with a comprehensive grasp of metalsmithing and the contemporary paradigm of jewelry arts. After school, my professional engagement encompassed active participation in various exhibitions and artist residencies, such as New York City Jewelry Week, Brussels Jewelry Week (Belgium), JOYA(Spain), and Open Studio Residency at Haystack Mountain School of Craft. Opportunities like this speeded up my learning process and shaped my creativity. For me, as an artist, the most essential skill and also the biggest obstacle is to know how to start a project and develop it in your own way.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a jewelry artist based in Rochester, upstate New York in the US. My jewelry works are fueled by the challenge of transforming ready-made materials into captivating jewelry pieces. My work mainly utilized plastic, sterling silver, and resin with dedicated fabrication, bending, soldering, and layering color processes. My practices in metalsmithing and jewelry design have been about 8 years and empowered me to craft pieces that blur the lines between adornment and mass production, fashion, and sustainability. Each piece I create tells a story of reinvention, encouraging people to find beauty in the unexpected. I aim to spark conversations that go beyond traditional craft boundaries and invite a fresh perspective on how we see and appreciate art.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Throughout my participation in exhibitions with international influence, and work with major art institutions such as Burchfield Penny Art Center, I understand that curators and organizations would do their best to help artists get their work out to the public, such as launching more public art projects and encouraging the community to develop art activities. Moreover, creating affordable studio spaces, galleries, and exhibition venues helps artists access physical spaces for creation, collaboration, and showcasing their work without financial strain.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The potential to connect with others through one’s creative work is immensely rewarding. Art has the power to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and even inspire change. The ability to touch people’s lives and resonate with them on a profound level is a unique privilege that comes with being an artist. Whether it’s through evoking nostalgia, challenging perceptions, or simply bringing joy, the impact that creative endeavors can have on individuals and communities is truly meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.suyuchen.com
- Instagram: @suyu_chen_