Yuka Jourdain (Japan/UK) - Sheffield Hallam University MFA

YUKA JOURDAIN

Website - Facebook - Instagram - Twitter

Biography:

Yuka Jourdain is Japanese jeweller based in the U.K. who appreciates and supports the diversity of nature and human culture. Her pieces arrive through an enjoyment of both traditional jewellery techniques and the exploration of new materials. Yuka believes that material handling and being observant of forms that emerge through experimental making are important as she strives to visualise her thoughts. Her designs develop as objects start to look more poetic or mysterious than expected.

Collection Concept: Pray for Reconnection

Reviewing her habitual empathetic feeling ‘Mottainai’ (meaning ‘they do not deserve being treated in such a way’ in Japanese) towards rubbish, Yuka Jourdain took up the theme of biodiversity loss of birds. She incorporated metaphor of votive offerings and gesture of prayers in her design so that viewers and wearers experience the sense of wish the recovery for bird species. The outcome is an installation ‘Pray for Reconnection’ in figurative expression and a ‘Lapwing Rings’ collection in abstract expression, which represents the state of Lapwing species in different year. Lapwings are one of the fast-declining bird species in the U.K.

Brooch, copper, egg carton, acrylic paint

Necklace, copper, egg carton, acrylic paint