THE INFLUENCE OF ART 4

Celebrating the recent launch of his new fine jewellery collection, The Impressionists, Zeemou Zeng continues his conversations with friends and colleagues about the value of Impressionist art in their lives. Here he shares insights from potter Claire Finlay.

"Some years ago someone said to me that surely I could not be interested in art because I didn’t frequent galleries and exhibitions. Somewhat taken aback I didn’t reply, but years later I still mull over that question, if indeed it was one, and have come to the realisation that art encompasses far more than mere observation. 

Art is, in fact,  very much part of my life. For forty years I have been getting up early, excited to go into my studio. I started my career in the restoration of ceramics and am privileged to have worked in the Topkapi museum in Istanbul and the private museum Sadberk Hanim musesi on the Bosphorus.  I have since moved from restoration to creating my own pieces and art is now so important in my life that without it I think I would wither away!   

Monet distilled a lifetime of observation and thirty years of living and creating in his garden at Giverny, into his truly magnificent masterpiece of the Nymphéas.  This was his great gift - the eight vast panels created as a symbol of peace.  This is contemplative work on an enormous scale. The onlooker is bathed in luminosity, immersed in colour and the currents of air touching the water and plants.  It is an experience of total immersion, and as such launched a new experience in how art can influence the individual.  Conceptual art, the power of suggestion, using large fields of colour, using the sensuous experience of light and colour in a deeply explorative way.  The trails of influence from Monet’s great Nymphéas reach into so many domains of artistic language. 

Zeemou Zeng The Impressionists dangle earring-"Ultramarine I" inspired by ‘Nymphéas Bleus (Blue Water-Lilies)’ by Claude Monet.

In my pottery, the layered glazes I use to create the blues and greens in my bowls remind me of Monet’s water lilies. I didn’t set out to try and emulate his palate, it just happened as I experimented with different glazes and firing temperatures. I find these colours inspirational."

Nymphéas Bowls by Claire Finlay.

Claire Finlay is a potter who creates sculptural and functional ceramics, inspired by the natural world. Working from her studio on the west coast of Ireland she is inspired by shapes which merge from one into another with such fluidity - like fish into leaves to the ribs in the hull of a boat. Everything is interconnected. It’s what the Shamans call shape-shifting. Each piece is handmade, which results in items that are truly unique, full of individuality and character. Her work has been exhibited in Ireland, Scotland and England. www.clairefinlayceramics.com

The Influence of Art 3

Zeemou Zeng, celebrating the launch of his new fine jewellery collection The Impressionists, continues his conversations with friends and colleagues about the value of Impressionist art in their lives. Here he shares insights from Dara Huang, American architect, designer and founder of Design Haus Liberty. 

"Art is so important in my life and is significant on so many different levels. From my own creative art and painting with my son, to using art as a form of expression and inspiration. Art exerts a powerful influence on the way we design and think about things. Art is everything.    

Monet and Renoir are my favourite Impressionist painters. Their art is so emotionally charged. I first saw their pieces in books and when my parents realised I had a real passion for art, they sent me to art classes where I had to study the construction of these pieces. 

Since then I have been lucky enough to see the original paintings as I travel the world. These works fill me with feelings of awe and enlightenment. Pieces such as 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' and ‘ La Loge (Theatre Box)’ by Renoir make me feel totally submersed in the study – so much so that the event comes alive as if I have experienced the zeitgeist first-hand."

Zeemou Zeng Impressionists Dangle Earrings-"Alizarin" inspired by Theatre Box by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

"With Monet, it's the sheer scale that totally overwhelms me - its grand glory. The composition is so clever. It appears abstract up close but reveals clarity from afar. I have no idea how they created work like this, how these artists made every stroke make sense only from a distance. Technically it is so skilled to work this detail in every brush stroke.

It is interesting to see Impressionist influences echoed in modern day design and art today. There are definitely subtle hints in Saerom Yoon’s use of colours in his resin vases/tables and in Damien Hirst’s Cherry Blossom paintings. But still no one has yet recreated the magic that the original Impressionists achieved.”

'Crystal Series_Vase' by Saerom Yoon (left). Cherry Blossom painting by Damien Hirst (right).

Dara created DH Liberty in 2013. Her idea was simple: first, recruit architects and designers who’ve honed their craft working for the world’s most renowned architecture firms. Then, give them the freedom to look at each project with totally unshackled imaginations. And then watch the magic unfold. www.dhliberty.com

Architecture & Interior design by Dara Huang, DH Liberty.

The Influence of Art 2

Zeemou Zeng The Impressionists Dangle Earrings - "Veridian" - 18k white gold, peridot, blue & green chalcedony - inspired by Claude Monet's painting "Water Lilies and the Japanese bridge".

THE INFLUENCE OF ART 2

Celebrating the launch of his new fine jewellery collection, The Impressionists, Zeemou Zeng continues his conversations with friends and colleagues about the value of Impressionist art in their lives. Here he shares insights from Hilary Alexander OBE, President of the Graduate Fashion Foundation. 

“Art is intrinsic to fashion. Major designers, including Christian Dior, Valentino, John Galliano, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, reference artists or take inspiration from art history whether it be the Old Masters or the Impressionists. 

Monet is my favourite Impressionist artist. I was lucky enough to visit an exhibition of his ‘Nympheas’ at the Tuileries, where the works were arranged in a circle around each salon. If you stood in the middle it was like being a dragon-fly hovering over a lake of water lilies. A few years later, I visited the Claude Monet Foundation, in Giverny, Normandy, which is home to the artist’s country house and legendary gardens, which were themselves considered works of art.  They say, of Monet, that his garden was his oeuvre, the flowers his palette. Standing in his gardens, gazing over the water, the flowers, and the trees is like stepping into a painting. 

My favourite is The Japanese Footbridge and the Water Lily Pond. Curiously, the little blue bridge which arches over Monet’s Japanese water lily garden was actually inspired by a bridge which Monet painted on a visit to the icy outpost of Sandvika, Norway, in the 1890’s.  I also visited the house where he lived for more than 40 years. The dining room is inspired by the colour yellow - curtains, table-linen, crockery. Apparently Monet was an excellent cook and his cookery notebooks have a recipe for roast carp, one of his favourites!”

Graduate Fashion Foundation is the registered charity responsible for organising the annual Graduate Fashion Week event in London, recognised as the largest platform for emerging BA fashion talent in the world. This year, GFW celebrates its 30th anniversary, with more than 100,000 graduates across all fashion disciplines having been launched, mentored and assisted over three decades. GFW 2021, June 12-18, Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross; tickets/information www.graduatefashionweek.com

JCK Magazine interview: Designer Zeemou Zeng Has a Passion for Peridot

The JCK Magazine interview with founder Zeemou Zeng is out across the USA as part of the News Email to all subscribers worldwide.

Earlier this month, we unveiled a new collection-The Art of Travel at the China International Consumer Products Expo in the Hainan province city of Haikou. The Art of Travel collection features vibrant emerald-cut Fuli peridot in playful luggage- and handbag-inspired concepts (complete with “purse feet” hardware). There are also perfume bottle shapes with diamond-accented caps—as exotic scents can transport us to faraway lands when airplanes can’t.

Read the full interview here: Designer Zeemou Zeng Has a Passion for Peridot

The Influence of Art 1

The Influence of Art

With the launch of his new fine jewellery collection The Impressionists, Zeemou Zeng shares conversations with colleagues as to how Impressionist artinfluences their lives. 

First up is Claire Garabedian of PJ Studio Accessories – creators of award winning scarves that celebrate British heritage.

“I was first made aware of the Impressionists when visiting Paris with my parents as a child.  Then, as now, I marvelled at their vision. They were trendsetters and their works have stood the test of time. I am drawn to their inspired use of colour which is, and always will be, a mood changer."

PJ Studio Accessories Monet scarf for the Fitzwilliam Museum

I love seeing Impressionist influences echoed in modern day design and art. Working with Museums has given us access to their fantastic archive collections, which we consider a huge privilege. For the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge we created a scarf that drew on not one but two of their Claude Monet paintings. The design makes you do a double take – it is very beautiful. Just like Zeemou’s new Impressionist Collection.”

ZEEMOU ZENG The Impressionists Dangle Earrings - "Chrome" inspired by Water-Lilies by Claude Monet.

A diary date for those who love the works of the Impressionists  - in September 2021, The National Gallery is hosting Impressionist Decorations: The Birth ofModern Décor  which is the gallery’s first exhibition to focus on the objects and interiors the artists created. As well as works on canvas, it will include other decorative items such as tapestries, ceramics and fans by figures such as Monet, Renoir and Pissarro. 

Ex Liberty girls Claire and Sarah, founders of PJ Studio accessories, are inspired by the beauty of nature found in art, and have created their unique scarves for leading Museums including The Sir John Soane’s Museum, The Fitzwilliam Botanical Garden Cambridge, Ashmolean Museum Oxford and the William Morris Gallery.  www.pjstudioaccesories.com

BBeyond Jewellery 2020 Edition: Spectacular and Collectible Pieces

ZEEMOU ZENG jewellery is featured as one of the 4 emerging designers in the new Bbeyond Jewellery 2020 Edition: Spectacular and Collectible Pieces. http://beyondblack.org/b-beyond-jewellery/

This is BB Publication's first ever Jewellery Edition and, true to form from this high end publisher, is an exquisite coffee table book. Conceived as a new loose-leaf edition, included are some of the world’s leading master jewellers, with a nod to emerging designers, and a profile of a leading collectors of historical significance pieces. Featuring gemstones, to concept jewellery, to outstanding craftsmanship, to collectible Art Deco pieces, the book offers a glimpse into the world of collectors who appreciate the truly exceptional.  

ZEEMOU ZENG thanks BB Publication for including our EYE and MELODY Collections in this beautiful collector’s edition. 

BBeyond Jewellery: Spectacular and Collectible Pieces (Hardback) www.waterstones.com

Zeemou Zeng named “Young Jewellery Designer of the Year 2020”, UK Jewellery Awards

Zeemou Zeng closes 2020 with the great news that he has been honoured with the accolade of Young Jewellery Designer of the Year 2020 in the UK Jewellery Awards! 

This prestigious win adds to his two previous awards in the prestigious Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Awards in February 2020 - the Gold Award in the category of Production Jewellery sponsored by Vipa Designs ltd, and the Silver Award in the category of Precious Jewellery, sponsored by International Jewellery London. 

Zeemou Zeng named “Young Jewellery Designer of the Year 2020”, UK Jewellery Awards

UK Jewellery Awards Judges were very complimentary in their comments.

“His pieces are clever and re­fined,” said one judge in praise of Zeemou Zeng. “This is the right time for Zeemou to win this award and take his career to the next level.” Zeng has thrown himself into the UK jewellery industry with gusto, participating in the Goldsmiths’ Fair and The Jewellery Cut Live events, as well as securing stockists for his ­ fine jewellery pieces. 

The unusual Eye collection is the perfect example of how shapes, materials, movement and textures all play a role in Zeng’s design process. Another judge commented: “Zeemou Zeng is able to capture unique design concepts in wearable designs with real commercial appeal. His statement ‘showstopper pieces’ are uniquely his own.” 

ZEEMOU ZENG The Eye brooches

ZEEMOU ZENG The Impressionists "Chrome" Dangle Earrings inspired by Water-Lilies by Claude Monet.

ZEEMOU ZENG The Impressionists "Alizarin" Dangle Earrings inspired by Theatre Box by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

ZEEMOU ZENG The Impressionists "Cobalt Black III" ring inspired by Luncheon in the Studio by Édouard Manet.

Professional Jeweller Emerging Brand Collection of the Year finalist

I am so thrilled - and honoured - that the editorial team at Professional Jeweller have chosen the ZEEMOU ZENG Eye Collection as one of the four finalists in the Professional Jeweller Emerging Brand Collection of the Year.  https://www.professionaljeweller.com/collections-of-the-year-2020-emerging-brands-finalists/

ZEEMOU ZENG The EYE collection brooch

The Eye Collection is my second collection and illustrates the  way I work with shapes, materials, texture and, my all-important signature, movement. Once again I am working to reinvent classic designs, translating them into powerful forms of expression through unexpected, and often playful, gemstone combinations and settings. 

The EYE pieces are enchantingly joyful as well as beautiful. Each piece is designed with an eye in which the central stone turns from front to back and the colour magically changes, due to a different gemstone being set on each side.  Discover the Eye collection all pieces from here: https://www.zeemouzeng.com/productstheeye

Loving my greens

Green is such a vibrant colour, you can almost taste it. It wakens all my senses. The smell of freshly cut grass, the sharp brightness of new shoots, verdant freshly shelled peas.  And Nature is so clever the way she layers her greens -  a skill that has inspired our most famous painters - Renoir, Monet, Hockney, etc. 

One of my favourite greens is the peridot gemstone. Found deep in the earth's mantle or sometimes in lava and meteorites, these fiery green stones really zing.  Fuli Gemstones, owner of the largest peridot deposit in the world, have shared their treasure trove with me.  These perfect peridots inspired me to create my favourite 'rock and roll' music.

Credit :  Zeemou Zeng Melody Cocktail Ring with Fuli Gemstones peridot -  combines perfect peridot beads that roll within their 18kt white gold, pave diamond setting. Hold to the ear and the peridot movement creates a unique chime.

ZEEMOU ZENG included in the inaugural NAJ Yearbook.

The NAJ (National Association of Jewellers) has published its first official Yearbook, an essential guide to the UK jewellery industry. Included are several detailed brand profiles including one for award-winning jeweller, ZEEMOU ZENG. The Yearbook is meant to be a valuable resource for anyone in the UK jewellery industry with relevant features, information and profiles of some of the most exciting jewellers working in the UK today.

ZEEMOU ZENG is honoured to be included and grateful for the support of and partnership with the NAJ. To order your own copy go to https://www.naj.co.uk

ZEEMOU ZENG is proud to announce a partnership in support of AgeUK, the leading charity for elderly people.

Introducing the limited-edition Melody Rainbow Necklace - a very special talisman.  This beautifully crafted pendant necklace features a rainbow of red, yellow, blue, green chalcedony and amethyst beads set in 18k yellow gold on a 60cm gold chain. Each piece is individually numbered. (Cost: £1,100.)

20% of every sale of the Rainbow Necklace will go directly to Age UK.

Zeemou Zeng Limited Edition Rainbow Necklace

It’s part of a four-piece collection selected for an exclusive partnership with AgeUK, which helps seniors make the most of later life, through companionship, advice and support.  In these uncertain times brought on by the pandemic, the services provided by AgeUK are more important than ever.

Other pieces in this special collection include:

·      the award-winning Melody Cocktail Ring (18k white gold, diamond pave, green chalcedony £ 3,850) 

·      the Melody Bar Earring (18k white gold, diamond pave, green chalcedony £3,600)

·      the EYE Brooch (18k white gold, diamond pave, kyanite, ruby £5,490). 

‘It’s been inspiring to see the rainbow adopted as the symbol of support for the NHS and essential workers in these difficult times. I wanted to do my part so I created the Rainbow Necklace to help raise funds for AgeUK which helps the elderly who have been most affected by COVID-19.’

The campaign to raise funds for Age UK runs until 11 August, 2020.  

AgeUK registered charity number:  1128267.

The Rainbow Necklace also promotes LGBTQ+ Pride and makes a statement about inclusion, equality and justice. ZEEMOU ZENG is proud to stand with the diverse LGBTQ+ community and create pieces that lets jewellery lovers do the same.

ZEEMOU ZENG won Gold Award and Silver Award at “Jewellery Oscars” 2020

Congratulations to Zeemou Zeng who won Gold Award in the category of Production Jewellery sponsored by Vipa Designs ltd., and Silver Award in the category of Precious Jewellery sponsored by International Jewellery London at the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Awards ( GC&DC Awards) on Monday night (24th, Feburary,2020 ) at the ceremony at Goldsmiths' Hall, London.

Known affectionately as the ‘Oscars of the Industry’, the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Awards are the only peer reviewed technical and creative awards in the United Kingdom. The awards are strongly supported by the industry and HRH Princess Michael of Kent as Royal Patron.

All submissions entered into the competition are judged by skilled and experienced practitioners drawn from their specialist fields of expertise within the profession. Through this process of peer inspection and assessment, work is endorsed by professionals to the highest standards and objectives set by the Council, thus validating the status and quality of these awards.

Pictured here –ZEEMOU ZENG Gold Award & Silver Award certificates.

ZEEMOU ZENG-The EYE collection pendant(18k rose gold/pave diamonds/amethyst/yellow diamond)

ZEEMOU ZENG Joins ELEVATE- the Goldsmiths' Company's exclusive jewellery wholesale event

The Goldsmiths’ Company is committed to fostering a robust and thriving British jewellery trade. ELEVATE offers a boutique, intimate platform for hand-crafted jewellery brands to engage with both domestic and international wholesale buyers.

The event takes place at historic Goldsmiths’ Hall, the traditional home of the British jewellery trade for nearly seven centuries.

The jewellers at ELEVATE 2020 will each offer their own take on outstanding contemporary design.

Friday17 April
9am – 6pm

Saturday18 April
10am – 6pm

More information please visit: https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/craft/trade/elevate/

ZEEMOU ZENG won Goldsmiths’ Company Graduate Bursary Scheme and showcased jewellery collections at the Goldsmith’s Fair 2019.

Goldsmiths’ Fair is recognised internationally as the premier UK showcase for contemporary jewellery and silver.

Each year, this unique event draws collectors, design lovers and luxury shoppers to the magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall where they can browse the latest collections from this handpicked selection of craftsmen and women.

Revealed: UK Jewellery Awards finalist for 2019

ZEEMOU ZENG has been shortlisted for Young Jewellery Designer of the Year in UK Jewellery Awards 2019.

ZEEMOU ZENG won Gold Award in the category of Fine Jewellery Boodles Award at 2019 Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Awards

In February 2019, ZEEMOU ZENG was presented with the Gold Award in the category of Fine Jewellery Boodles Award, at the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Awards, known as the ‘Jewellery Oscars’. 

Sponsored by the British luxury jeweller Boodles, this award recognises an exclusive piece of fine jewellery elegantly designed and beautifully made. In essence, the sponsors sought to identify and reward a combination of fine design and great craftsmanship in a piece of jewellery. Zeemou’s winning entry, a set of gold earrings from the Melody collection, featuring pearls that move within the piece, was chosen for its ability to reflect Boodles’ ethos and its international reputation for quality fine jewellery.

2019 Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Award Ceremony

Goldsmiths’Hall prime warden Mr Michael Prieaux (left) Zeemou Zeng (middle) and Boodles Family managing director Mr Michael Wainwright (right)

Zeemou Zeng Melody earrings

Zeemou Zeng Melody Cocktail ring

Boodles boutique

Young London University of the Arts graduate a “Star of the future”

A jewellery design “star of the future” Zeemou Zeng, who lives and works in London and was born and raised in China, has been selected, after a nationwide search in the UK, as a Bright Young Gem for 2018.

Bright Young Gem (BYG) status is awarded to just four jewellery designers annually, selected by an eminent panel of judges including Hilary Alexander OBE, Editor-at-Large Hello Fashion Monthly; Annabel Davidson, Editor of Vanity Fair on Jewellery, and Alice Edwards, Jewellery Editor for the Sunday Times Style and The Times LUXX magazine.

ZEEMOU’S Melody collection has been showcased at the UK’s leading international Jewellery Show - International Jewellery London (IJL) at the Kensington Olympia in September 2018.