Sheng Zhang

‘Patch’ Sculptural Vessel

Sculptural yet functional, regular yet asymmetric. This octagon ‘Patch’ vase continues Sheng’s aesthetics of minimal style and purity of visual language, conveying a sense of sentient tactile and rhythmical, celebrating the transformative of the thin silver sheet and essence of an ordinary still-life.<br><br>In addition to the carefully controlled making process and attention to immaculate construction, Sheng decided to give himself some flexibility and freely ‘painting’ gold patterns on this work. Complementing the whole piece, the random scattered 24K gold foil also provides a metaphor for spontaneous and emotional moments and events of life.

‘Patch’ brooch

This brooch is converted from the ‘Patch’ sculptural object to a smaller version of wearable jewellery piece. Sculptural yet functional, regular yet asymmetric. The brooch demonstrates both positive and negative space that held within the work and creates intriguing changeable shadow while swirling. <br><br>This brooch is made from 8 individual taped panels with the help of 3D modelling technique and fabricated by using PUK welder.

'Inside Out' Sculptural Objects

Sheng Zhang's designs are usually influenced and inspired by minimalist art, contemporary architecture and geometrical form. This collection involves the utilisation of highlighted incisions and openings on edges as gates to reveal and emphasise the link of internal and external space. Introducing the change of light as a catalyst to go through the work and formulate different shadow as a changeable echo of the work itself. It strengthens the visual impact, questions the relationship between the work and its surroundings.

'Off-vertical' Sculptural Bowls

<br>Associating with boundary, volume, silhouette, capacity, shadow, gravity and subtle detail, Sheng’s practice concentrates on exploring the connection of internal and external, positive and negative space in his work.<br>u200b<br>The work contains indentation and bulge accented with precious metal dot to complement the special qualities of these vessels and containers. It conveys the sense of integrity, celebrates and connects the positive and negative space that an object dominates. Questioning the role of function in a conceptual and aesthetic work of art.

'Pump' Light Emitting Objects

This collection is developed from previous collection 'Inside Out'. A LED strip is installed inside of both objects and creates a beam of light that comes out from the edges of object. The beam of light as a visible but untouchable media, builds up a connection between the space within the work and the outside space around it, questions the relationship between the work and its surroundings. The English wheel has been used in the making process to form the curved cushion shapes for both objects.

‘Trio’ Jug & double skinned beaker

The ‘Trio’ Jug & Double Skinned Beaker is not only a group of sculptural work of art but also a set of fully functional objects for daily use. The shape and form of each work generates a well-balanced echo from one to another. Celebrating the essence of form and line and conveying a joy of holding and drinking. Each work consists of 3 individually hand raised panels and were hammered and soldered all together afterwards to create a rounded triangular shape.

‘Multifaceted’ double skinned octagon beaker

This multifaceted double skinned octagon beaker is made from 8 individual pannels. Soldered one after another to generate the sleek and elegant octagon shape with a cylinder liner inside. It’s brushed finish outside and form creates a beautiful play of light, along with highly polished top rim and gilded interior creates a fascinating contrast significantly. The beaker’s form curves from its tapered top to a broad belly, before rising in a wonderful vault underneath - the perfect place to position a finger while cradling your single malt or G&T.

'Curved Curves' brooch series

These brooches are the result of development of the major collection ‘Curved Curves’. They are converted from large scale sculptural objects into small wearable jewellery pieces. The brooches are made in four geometric shapes, a circle, a rectangle, a square and a triangle. The pin is invisible when they are worn, drawing the eye to the space enclosed by their outline and creating a sense of expectation. Their forms are soft, with rounded rather than angular corners and edges. Combined with their matt surfaces, this gives a feeling of warmth and generosity to these uncompromising and deceptively simple jewels.