Two NSCAD students, Siyu Dong and Vanessa Shum, were finalists in the 21st Annual National Jewellery Student Competition, held at the L.A. Pai Gallery in Ottawa.
The winner, Elinor Nelson-Hachey (George Brown College), was announced Saturday August 24 at the Pai gallery. Other finalists in addition to Nelson-Hachey, Dong, and Shum were were Tomoe Akiba (George Brown College) and Nancy Rousseau (École de joaillerie de Montréal).
Siyu Dong
Siyu Dong, born in Hebei, China, start at NSCAD in 2018 to study fine art and jewellery design. Inspired by her Canadian study abroad and art internship experience in China, she gradually found her true self in art: she likes to use the abstract art form in painting to express the fluctuation of her inner emotions and hopes that her works will have a positive impact on others.
“Life always brings us stress and challenges in an invisible way. But luckily, my mother has always been there to support me and protect me, no matter where, when or what happens. The big vase represents my mother, and the small vase represents me. “I” rest on “mother’s” back, because where she is, is the safest and most relaxing place,” says Dong, referring to her works Mom and Me 1 and Mom and Me 2.
Dong’s work focuses on the use of metal mesh. Inspired by the technique of filigree, she sees making metal mesh as a part of filigree.
“Maybe people feel that mesh is thin and soft, we can form it by hand. But I try to make the mesh harder, and then I can use hammer to do the forming. I enjoy it so much, I try to find a way to combine them together!”
“I feel it can cure me when sunshine goes through my works. Also, the process of making it makes me think and feel peaceful. This competition is a really good chance to let more audiences see the artistic possibilities of metal mesh, and it helps me show the achievement of my research. I feel very happy and grateful.”
Vanessa Shum
Vanessa Shum, from Vancouver, Canada, completed the Jewellery Arts and Design program at the Vancouver Community College before pursuing her BFA in Jewellery and Metalsmithing at NSCAD.
Shum’s series of jewellery is inspired by sugar and baking sweet desserts. “Through using resin and ceramic I mimic the act of baking. I measure resin, mix it until it is fully incorporated and then pour the “batter” into moulds until it is cured. Clay is worked in various ways, like piping or rolling it out. It is then baked in an oven and then glazed to give the iconic appearance of desserts. Using bright colours and a range of textures I express my love of baking that is squeezed into the details of each delightfully sweet piece,” she says.
Vanessa Shum is also in a local group show, Intimate Wonders, at the Mary E. Black gallery until Sept. 15.. Works by: Cyd Sparrow (BFA 2020), Cynthia Fraschetti (BFA 2023), Emma Lacey (BFA 2023), Erin Fleming (BFA 2024), Rayce Min (BFA 2024) & current student Vanessa Shum. 1061 Marginal Rd Unit 104, Halifax.
The finalists’ work will be on display at the L.A. Pai Gallery until September 13.