Winner – Koodak Award for Highest Academic Achievement
(presented by Koodak Jewellery Supplies)
The Whispers of Nature.
When we feel saddened or troubled by the breath of life, we can open our eyes to discover the healing beauty around us. This is the source of our powerful inner resilience.
I enjoy searching for those overlooked fragments of beauty in the small details of nature and everyday life. By transforming these microcosmic natural elements into wearable jewelry and decorative pieces, I hope to share the beauty I perceive with others, exploring the deeper connections between humans and nature and allowing viewers to feel the wonder and resilience of the microscopic world.
In the ecological corners of Australia, I am captivated by the unique life forms of fungi. I attempt to use inorganic materials such as metal and enamel, combined with other organic elements, to recreate these organisms with authentic textures and colors, capturing their fragile and enchanting appearance. My work is not only a visual representation but also an invitation for the wearer to become part of this symbiotic chain, experiencing the inner resonance that nature’s beauty can inspire.
Additionally, my research extends to those natural objects in daily life that are close at hand yet often overlooked. I chose citrus fruits as a subject, using oil paper to imprint their internal structures and casting metal to capture the unique textures and vibrant colors of their peels. This simulated fruit series deconstructs familiar objects, revealing the richness, complexity, and hidden intricacies of nature.
Each of my pieces is a tribute to nature and a bridge exploring the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world. I hope that wearers can discover their own sense of natural beauty from these microcosmic moments and find resonance within.
Qianxun Li is a sensitive and inquisitive artist from China who has lived in China, Vietnam, and Australia, embracing diverse cultural influences. Now based in Melbourne, Australia, she is studying Gold and Silversmithing at RMIT University. She previously studied printmaking and incorporates its techniques into her work. Passionate about collecting and studying various imprints and materials, she explores the intrinsic structures of substances while aiming to evoke emotional resonance in viewers. In her creations, Li constructs narrative-driven pieces that invite audiences into immersive experiences. Her works convey a unique emotional appeal, delivering a sense of lightness and healing in a playful, engaging way.
