Navigating the intricate terrain of contemporary jewellery design, Lydia Martin and Chien-Yu Liu have carved out distinctive niches with their exploratory and thought-provoking creations. Both artists employ a considered approach to their craft, examining notions of materiality, intentionality, and consequence through their works. Martin, with her meticulous attention to technique and surface detail, and Liu, whose interdisciplinary practice spans jewellery, silversmithing, and photography, offer unique perspectives on the intersection of personal experience, craftsmanship, and contemporary design.

Lydia Martin, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, utilises traditional metalsmithing techniques to explore material skill, surface, line, and movement. An accomplished educator, Martin's works serve as an investigation into intentions and consequences. Her pieces, developed with sterling silver, become tangible catalogues of decisions, each marking a specific moment in her making process.

This exploration is seen in her 'Weight of a Line Series', a collection of hollow form fabrications, subtly highlighting or concealing their seams through their finish and colour. They embody the distortion and reconstruction inherent in her process, revealing the limits of materiality while simultaneously aiming to unify what was once fragmented.

Her teaching at UA Little Rock mirrors this process, instilling in her students the necessity of honest communication, vulnerability, and a willingness to learn from failure. The transformative and educational power of her work speaks volumes about her commitment to her students and the medium of contemporary jewellery.

Chien-Yu Liu, an international metalsmith, employs an interdisciplinary approach, intertwining jewellery, silversmithing, and photography. Each piece she creates is a journey, moving from her early days designing for high-end brands using digital software to acquiring hands-on experience and formal education in the field.

In her practice, Liu explores themes of absence and presence, heaviness and lightness through her distinct hammering techniques. Her pieces are an expression of the preciousness of artisanal effort and the transformative power of manual processes. A standout piece, 'Warm Wind Blowing', embodies this philosophy, a unique, one-of-a-kind adornment constructed from handmade metallic objects and fabrics, exemplifying the contemporary nature of her work.

Liu's materials of choice, largely metallic, echo her predilection for resilience and strength in her work. The motivation behind her practice originates from her personal experience of loss, intertwining her emotions, material choices, and the cities she has lived in to reflect a deep connection to her environment and self.

Liu's materials of choice, largely metallic, echo her predilection for resilience and strength in her work. The motivation behind her practice originates from her personal experience of loss, intertwining her emotions, material choices, and the cities she has lived in to reflect a deep connection to her environment and self.

As wearers don her pieces, she hopes they find their inner peace and strength, mirroring the resilient yet light nature of her creations. Through her work, Liu prompts us to contemplate the transformative nature of personal experience in contemporary jewellery design.

With an illustrious portfolio of awards, including the JOYA Award at Athens Jewellery Week 2020, the Findings Issue 70 Competition, the Amber Trip 2020 Art Jewellery Contest, and a top-5 artist of Arte y Joya International Award 2021, Liu's work is a testament to her innovative approach to contemporary jewellery.

Mirroring her resilient yet light creations, Liu hopes to inspire inner peace and strength in those who wear her pieces. Her work serves as a reflection on the transformative power of personal experiences and resilience within the sphere of contemporary jewellery design.

The work of both artists is available for purchase on the Cluster Online Store.