INTERVIEW: HANKUNYU ‘VERA’ WEI

Hailing from a quaint town in China, the artist Hankunyu Wei is a visionary individual who honed her craft at the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art. As a modern-day artist, she possesses an insatiable curiosity and an unwavering dedication to uncovering the hidden depths within mundane existence, elevating overlooked moments into profound revelations through the lens of abstraction. Firmly convinced that the juxtaposition of diverse materials can breathe life into art and ignite the fire of imagination and creativity, Hankunyu Wei has embraced a process of relentless experimentation to push the boundaries of material plasticity to their utmost limits. By delving into the uncharted terrain where different elements collide harmoniously, she harnesses the energy of these interactions to infuse her creations with a sense of boundless vitality and inexhaustible inspiration.

The artist embodies a defiant ethos toward existence, creating a signature design vernacular steeped in unquenchable inquisitiveness and an unyielding quest for genuineness in her art. This distinctive ethos refines latent desires and fantasies, transmuting them into tangible forms that echo with profound significance. To find more about her art, we reached Hankunyu Wei for an exclusive interview x Trend Privé Magazine:

Your journey from a small city in China to studying metalsmithing at institutions like Savannah College of Art and Design and Cranbrook Academy of Art must have been incredibly transformative. Could you share some key moments or experiences during your academic career that have significantly shaped your artistic identity and approach to your craft?

My transformative moment occurred during my first field trip to Germany while I was in Cranbrook Academy of Art. The experiences and activities organized by Professor Iris Eichenberg opened the doors to contemporary jewelry for me. Ideas that were once confusing and vague in my mind gradually became clear amidst the chaos, eventually leading me to find my place in the realm of art and creation. Slowly, I began to understand how to use contemporary jewelry as a means to express my emotions and articulate my perspectives.

Being a contemporary artist driven by curiosity is a remarkable trait. How do you nurture and channel this curiosity into your creative process, especially when exploring the vast fields of metalsmithing + contemporary jewelry? What methods or practices do you employ to keep your curiosity alive and thriving in your work?

My curiosity stems from continuous exploration and experimentation with materials. As someone deeply interested in materials, I am passionate about exploring the interactions, arrangements, and combinations between different materials and metals. I’ve found that experimentation with materials serves as an endless source of curiosity for me. By constantly trying out new materials and observing their performances in artworks, I not only discover new possibilities but also spark more ideas and creativity. For instance, seeing how soft fabric deforms and twists under the support of metal, or how different materials exhibit their own characteristics in various states, extends and supplements my imagination of concepts and expressions in my work. This ongoing process of experimentation not only enriches my creative experience but also constantly challenges my imagination, thereby sustaining my motivation and passion for creation.

Your interest in delving into the dark side of ordinary life to extract moments taken for granted and abstract them is a unique perspective. Can you walk us through your thought process and methods when identifying these darker aspects of everyday life? How do you then transform these observations into abstract artistic representations that convey deeper meanings?

I’m often intrigued by alternative manifestations of commonplace objects, such as carpets covered in thorns or chairs that cannot be sat upon. When these conventional attributes are stripped away, it creates a pathway to confront the subtle yet profound meanings often overlooked. The dark side represents the shadows of life and objects, a reflection that exists without a tangible form. This existence may not easily be noticed but constantly surrounds us. When I encounter an object, I’m invariably drawn to its other side, compelled to explore. For instance, if a chair isn’t meant for sitting, then what purpose does it serve? If a key lacks a lock, what is the significance of its existence? If a room lacks a door, what lies within? These contemplations drive me to seek some form of answer through my creative process.

Exploring the collision between different materials as a way to ignite creativity is an intriguing concept. Could you provide examples of how specific material combinations have sparked new ideas or directions in your artwork? How important is the interaction between materials in conveying the message or emotion behind your pieces?

Based on my previous work “Expulse,” I choose metal and fabric as materials and try to reproduce and process the state of hidden feelings in my life marked by the collision of hard and soft characteristics between materials. The dense and resistant malleability of copper, steel, or aluminum frames the fabric. The softness and flexibility of cloth can simulate the concealment and fluidity of feelings, like the reticent characteristics of a veil.

Your dedication to maximizing the plasticity of materials through repeated experimentation is commendable. Could you discuss a specific project or artwork where these trials and iterations were crucial in achieving the desired outcome? How does this process of trial and error influence your artistic growth and the evolution of your style?

My “Fantasy or Conjecture” collection features jewelry crafted using keys as the primary element. During this period, I dedicated nearly a year to continuous exploration. To be honest, prior to this endeavor, I didn’t have a clear idea in mind; it was merely a process of exploration. I began by observing all the collected old keys, studying their connections. I experimented with pressing black paper to capture the protruding shapes of the keys and used light and shadow to showcase the details of the keys and their gradual disappearance. Throughout this process, I realized that light and shadow, as well as contours, could evoke my curiosity about the keys most effectively. I started using metal corrosion marks to simulate the traces left by keys and experimented with cutting to alter the original appearance of the keys. These series of experiments gradually brought me closer to the vague imagination I initially had about this concept, and my ideas and understanding became clearer as a result.

As an artist who values the essence of abstraction in your work, how do you balance the fine line between abstraction and conveying a coherent message or story to your audience? What considerations do you take into account when creating pieces that push the boundaries of traditional representation while remaining engaging and thought-provoking?

In my creative process, narrative serves as the underlying logic, allowing me to convey my thoughts and psychological activities through the storytelling within my artwork. Abstract expression is my chosen artistic language; I strive to avoid literal representation to expand both my own and the audience’s imaginative space. Artistic creation is subjective, and often within the logical narrative, I adhere to my genuine feelings, distorting and reshaping certain elements of the artwork in a manner that is exaggerated or distorted, such as through dramatic exaggeration or reduction, to achieve a sense of heightened reality.

Looking towards the future, what are some themes or techniques that you are eager to explore further in your metalsmithing and contemporary jewelry practice? How do you envision your artistic journey evolving, and are there any new directions or experiments you are particularly excited about pursuing in your upcoming works?

Looking ahead to the future, there are several themes and techniques within the practices of metalsmithing and installation art that I am eager to further explore. Firstly, I aim to delve deeper into the dialogue and interaction between materials, particularly the juxtaposition of metal and fabric. I am curious about how to combine the distinct characteristics of these materials to create novel and captivating artworks. Secondly, I am interested in exploring the possibilities of personal storytelling and emotional expression. Through my work, I hope to provoke contemplation on one’s own emotions and experiences, fostering resonance with the audience.

Regarding the development of my artistic journey, I see it as an ongoing process of exploration and learning. Each creation presents a new challenge and opportunity to refine my artistic language and skills. I am committed to expanding the scope of my creative practice and engaging in deep exchanges and discussions with other artists and audiences to enrich and broaden my perspective.

As for the upcoming works, I am excited to pursue new directions and experiments. I plan to explore more possibilities concerning materials and forms, experimenting with new techniques and approaches. I also aim to push the boundaries of my imagination further, integrating personal experiences and emotional expression into my work to create pieces that are more profound and meaningful.