Wanyan Wu
Wanyan Wu is a jewellery artist based in China and Birmingham. She holds an MA in Jewellery and Related Products from Birmingham City University. She primarily works with enamel to create narrative jewellery inspired by childhood memories of candy, crafting pieces that evoke warmth and playful nostalgia. In terms of technology, she wants to find a breakthrough and innovation that combines traditional craftsmanship (enamelling & lamp-glass working) with new industry techniques (3D printing).
“Candy Boxes” explores the bittersweet emotions I associate with sweets from my childhood. Candy was a source of joy and sensory delight, but also of pain, like the toothaches that followed. This work uses playful candy visuals such as Haribo Starmix, QQ candy, and watermelon sweets to evoke childhood memories in the audience. By incorporating the concept of Pic ‘N’ Mix, my work invites viewers to relive the simple joy of being in a candy shop, personally picking out their favorite shapes, colors, and containers.
In today’s fast-paced world, I wanted to offer a moment of pause, nostalgia, and delight. The act of selecting candy becomes a metaphor for reconnecting with one's inner child and reclaiming a small but profound sense of happiness. This work matters to me now because I believe that revisiting innocent pleasures in times of stress or transition can be both healing and grounding.
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