FEI LIU A STROKE OF BRILLIANCE

Asian designer Fei Liu creates magic at his workshop in Birmingham, UK. A rare talent, Liu combines his love for gemstones and Eastern heritage, and creates collector's pieces that stand the test of time. In a conversation with Vijetha Rangabashyam, he talks about his creative journey, his process, why he loves gemstones so much, and more

- Vijetha Rangabashyam,

Fei Liu was drawn towards arts as well as Chinese calligraphy and ink painting from a young age. Liu had an epiphany when he visited a Russian F crown jewellery exhibition - he realised that he could combine his love for arts with jewellery. So, in 1998, he pursued jewellery design at the Birmingham School of Jewellery. His body of work is a sublime confluence of Western contemporary design as well as his Eastern heritage. Each one of his pieces is a result of state-of-the-art technology as well as brilliant craftsmanship.

Where does your passion for jewellery stem from? 

I have always had a passion for creativity and from the age of five I began learning Chinese calligraphy and ink painting. A short stint in Hong Kong was the moment I realised that I had a passion for gemstones. At the time, I was juggling between a job and teaching art to children. Then, one day I was speaking with a gemmologist and became fascinated with the subject and in my spare time learnt more about gemstones. There was this jewellery shop in Hong Kong that I would visit after work every day, just to witness and observe the sparkle of gemstones. It was at a Russian crown jewellery exhibition that I knew jewellery would be my life. This was a visit where I realised, I could combine my love for art with gemstones.

What do you love the most about creating designing jewellery? 

The whole process is an exciting journey but it's the fact that my jewellery brings happiness and fulfilment to the wearer - this is what I love about jewellery.

How much does your Chinese upbringing and culture influence your thought process and design sensibilities?