Focus on Alister Yiap
Alister Yiap is self-reflective when embarking on a project. Deep analysis and tough boundaries are wedded to his design process.
With three celebrated retail collections and impressive acknowledgements across industries, you’d assume comfort and confidence. Yet, pivotal questions pre-empt everything.
Eggcellent Pendant by Alister Yiap
Photos provided by artist.
What am I really about?
Where could this piece be more refined?
Visually, could there be more links to the theme?
Is this the best I could come up with within the allocated time? Budget?
The impact of feckless commentaries between trade and art still land; judgements, irrelevant to the actual outcome, quality, and client appreciation.
He sometimes contemplates whether he fits in the visual arts, public art, commercially for fine engagement and wedding rings…
Lucky for us, he moves seamlessly from one to the next sharing multi-industry knowledge with the emerging generations of makers at North Metropolitan TAFE (College) and Curtin University on the west coast of Australia.
Jewellery is adornment of the body. Public art is adorning buildings. All public art has a jewellery component…drape a piece over a building, make it free standing… How could it be done in steel fabrication…?
No formal training? He goes and gets it.
A recent 3-month stint in Antwerp, Belgium is a case in point. The strictures and stress of learning with a tough taskmaster and international artists birthed new techniques and solutions for micro stones and settings.
Earlier competition pieces, ‘The Pearl Fishers’ ring and ‘Eggcellent’ pendant explore the objective of honouring the pearl without drilling or damaging it with an invasive post.
Fabergé inspired, I wanted to explore and trap the pearl – make it protected by the cage.
The Pearl Fishers Ring by Alister Yiap
He notices everyday designs - a basketball hoop, a golf ball on a tee, the balancing act of a display of soccer balls at a sports shop. Unconventional for jewellery, yet commonplace solutions in other arenas.
In the current economy when precious stones and metals have ‘gone through the roof’, Alister Yiap maintains his ethos exploring non-precious materials to challenge the notion of preciousness.
He is available by appointment in his Bulwer Street, Perth Studio in Western Australia.
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