About
Yichen Zhao is a jewellery artist and designer who graduated from the BA Jewellery Design programme at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, and later completed his MA in Jewellery & Metal at the Royal College of Art. He currently lives and works across the UK, China, and Japan.
His creative practice is rooted in the observation of everyday experiences and the pursuit of the essence of things. Drawing upon a wide range of influences—including time, existentialism, archaeology, and futurism—Zhao constructs a body of work that is both humorous and intellectually engaged. By combining design with making, he challenges conventional understandings of jewellery and objecthood, constantly questioning their identity and meaning.
Each of his works often begins with a fleeting moment, an event, or a particular landscape. Through processes of distillation and deconstruction, Zhao explores the world using symbols, materials, and wit to create pieces that aim to be universally relatable. His jewellery invites both reflection and play, engaging the viewer through poetic gestures that blur the line between the intimate and the conceptual.
Zhao undertakes both independent and collaborative projects, spanning private commissions, public installations, and research-led design initiatives. With experience working alongside a range of brands, he has participated in exhibitions, competitions, and solo shows in cities such as London, Shanghai, and Tokyo.