CAMEO IS AN ONGOING SERIES FEATURING CANADIAN JEWELLERY ARTISTS. HERE, THEY SHARE THEIR LATEST THOUGHTS AND INSIGHTS, AND GIVE US A PEEK INTO THEIR PRACTICE.
Photo by the artist
I believe my path into contemporary jewellery stemmed from my background in fine arts. I became fascinated by exploring colour, texture, and ways to move beyond the traditional limitations of precious materials. At the same time, I have always been a collector of small items—shells, rocks, buttons, and other fragments of daily life. Bringing these two impulses together allowed me to see jewellery not only as adornment, but also as a way to transform collected memories and materials into meaningful, wearable narratives.
How did you find your way to contemporary jewellery?
In my practice, the body becomes a vessel that activates memory and meaning. I think about how jewellery is experienced not just visually, but also through touch, interaction, and even the act of carrying it close. Many of my pieces are designed to transform with movement or to invite the wearer’s participation whether through reconfiguring a form, unlocking a mechanism, or simply sensing the textures against the skin. The body is where jewellery shifts from an object into a lived experience, linking personal memories with the present moment.
What role does the body play in your work?
What material are you currently obsessed with and why?
I have been drawn to combining natural fragments and digital processes like resin, shells, and other collected objects that I capture through 3D scanning and printing. I often pair these with sterling silver and traditional metal techniques. What fascinates me the most is how these material embody memory. They carry marks of time, trace of touch, and hidden stories that emerge through transformation.
Somewhere between inspired chaos and meditative quiet. I surround myself with drawings, test pieces, and collections of objects, which create a vibrant atmosphere for experimentation. Yet when I move into intricate handwork or detailed technical processes, I seek silence. This shifting rhythm allows me to balance intuitive play with focused precision.
Your studio: total silence or inspired chaos?
MinSeo Whee, Collecting Times, silver, copper, shibuichi, enamel, niobium, resin, sandalwood, photo paper, branch, paint
MinSeo Whee, White Collar Journey, sterling silver, coloured cubic zirconia
Can you tell us about a technical challenge that you have overcome and how you were able to resolve it?
A recurring challenge in my practice has been integrating delicate, memory-laden elements into durable, wearable forms. This often means engineering mechanisms, refining structures, or combining digital and traditional methods to achieve both functionality and poetry. Through persistence, trial and error, and blending technologies, I’ve learned to resolve technical obstacles in ways that expand the expressive possibilities of jewellery. Currently, I am further exploring the limitations of materials and how to balance sculptural qualities with comfort and practicality when worn.
I’m preparing new work that deepens my exploration of memory, transformation, and emotional resonance in jewellery. I’m also building a portfolio that reflects how wearable art can connect with personal healing and collective narratives. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue developing work that bridges fine art and jewellery, and to share it through exhibitions, collaborations, and future studies.
What is coming up next for you?
Published: 2025/9/16
