Birmingham-trained jewellery designer Fei Liu has played host to an exhibition in Beijing to showcase the UK’s emerging talent.
The show, presented by the School of Jewellery, part of the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design at Birmingham City University, was an opportunity to bring up-and-coming Birmingham jewellery makers to the attention of buyers in the Far East.
The launch took place in the Fei Liu Gallery at Fei Liu’s flagship store in Beijing, where guests were treated to a private viewing of the exhibition.
Attendees included Jingjing, editor of Harper’s Bazaar China; Fu Ying, China’s foreign minister and Tim Denly from the British Embassy.
The exhibition, entitled Paradigma 2, showcases pieces by eight lecturers from the School of Jewellery.
Fei Liu, a former School of Jewellery student himself, said: “This show means a lot to me both professionally and personally.
“To give the Chinese people the opportunity to view British design at its best has always been the aim of my shop and as a graduate of the School of Jewellery my design ethos has been greatly shaped by the time I spent there.
“This exhibition has allowed me to marry these two parts and showcase such wonderful design concepts.”
Professor Jack Cunningham, the head of the School of Jewellery and curator of the exhibition, said it was great to be working with Fei Liu on the exhibition.
“Showcasing the contemporary studio jewellery of eight members of academic staff from the School of Jewellery at Birmingham City University, the work adds a contrasting dimension to the fine, diamond and gem-set jewellery, normally displayed in the gallery.
“As the curator of the exhibition, I am delighted to be showing at the Fei Liu Gallery, in collaboration with one of the School of Jewellery’s most successful graduates, who continues to be a wonderful role model and ambassador for the School.”
The exhibition was made possible through an award from Birmingham Cultural Partnership’s International Partnership Programme, with support from Birmingham City Council’s Arts and Leisure department and a research grant from Birmingham Institute of Art & Design at Birmingham City University. Both the School of Jewellery and Fei Liu’s UK showroom are based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter which is steeped with history and tradition from the city.
The exhibition will run for six weeks at Fei Liu’s store in Beijing.
He opened the store last year as part of business proposals to expand outside the UK.
Originally from China, the designer opened the store to tap into the growing Chinese market for designer jewellery and to create a showcase for British talent by providing space in his shop for up-and-coming designers.
