Wearing a piece of Wenyin Jiang’s jewellery is like carrying a small universe in your hand. Each creation from NIBIRU Collection invites movement, reflection, and connection. Based in London but travelling frequently to Shanghai, Wenyin has spent the past three years after graduating from Central Saint Martins exploring jewellery as a medium of motion and balance. Conceived during lockdown, NIBIRU Collection draws on the imagery of stars and the mythos of the hypothetical planet, blending celestial inspiration with the delicate, kinetic possibilities of borosilicate glass and precious metals.

Every ring, brooch, or sculptural adornment rotates, pivots, or swings, encouraging the wearer to interact, play, and discover new perspectives. Wenyin’s signature piece, the Orion Ring, embodies this philosophy perfectly - its balance, scale, and mobility allow it to respond to the body, creating a subtle choreography that changes with every gesture.

Wenyin’s work has earned international recognition, receiving awards and exhibiting at galleries and fairs around the world. Rooted in both technical precision and poetic imagination, her jewellery begins as sketches that evolve into three-dimensional prototypes before becoming wearable art, balancing logic with playfulness. Through the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Shine 2025 programme, she has honed her skills in exhibition presentation, photography, and professional presence, inviting readers to explore the inspirations, processes, and philosophies behind NIBIRU Collection in her own words.

From Economics to Kinetics

'My studio is currently based in London, though I travel frequently back and forth to Shanghai. I graduated from Central Saint Martins three years ago, and since then I’ve continued my journey in kinetic art jewellery. I initially studied international economics and trade, which nurtured my interest in business and finance. But I’ve always been drawn to art and three-dimensional design. While studying for my bachelor’s degree, I decided to apply to Central Saint Martins to explore jewellery design and learn first hand what constitutes good three-dimensional design. Jewellery appealed to me because it is portable, tangible, and allows me to express creativity on a scale I can manage and carry with me.

After graduating, I launched my personal brand, which is less a brand and more a series of evolving collections. I design and make every piece by hand in my London studio, experimenting with both form and function. Exhibiting my work in London is important to me because it allows me to connect with a wider audience, receive feedback, and engage with peers at a similar stage in their careers.'

Stars, Sound, and Motion

'My collection, called NIBIRU, is inspired by real stars. Each piece is named after a star, which reflects both the visual aesthetic of my work and my fascination with sound as a medium. NIBIRU Collection emerged during lockdown, when I was exploring sound as a form of communication and connection. Sound allows us to communicate across distance and overcome differences.

Kinetic sculpture is central to my work. My work explores movement, balance, and mobility, using materials like borosilicate glass and precious metals to create jewellery that engages with space and interaction. Nibiru, a hypothetical planet, passes close to Earth every 3,600 years, echoing the ebb and flow of proximity and distance in human relationships. This concept informs the movement in my pieces: rotation, balance, and interaction allow the wearer to experience closeness and distance, visually and tactilely.'

From Sketch to Sculpture

'My design process begins with sketches, often two-dimensional, which I then translate into three-dimensional prototypes using inexpensive materials like plastic or wire. I experiment with balance, proportion, and movement before creating the final piece in precious materials. I do a lot of self-reflection and critique, testing multiple prototypes until I achieve the form and function I want.

I love creating jewellery that moves - each piece is mobile but controlled, blending logic with creativity. Aesthetically, I favour clarity, transparency, and shine, using silver and glass to achieve a clean, disciplined look that remains playful and interactive. Finding the right glass to achieve transparency, strength, and shape was a long process that involved months of experimentation, drilling, polishing, and connecting the glass elegantly to metal.'

Signature Pieces and Interactive Jewellery

'One of my favourite pieces is the Gold Polaris Ring. It embodies balance, scale, and mobility and has become a signature piece that introduced many people to my work. I enjoy seeing how my jewellery resonates with a wide range of people - male and female, young and old. The interactivity of my designs creates layered experiences: visual appeal, tactile engagement, and shifting perspectives with movement.

My jewellery is not just adornment - it is a dialogue of movement, connection, and personal expression. Each piece in NIBIRU Collection invites the wearer to explore, interact, and experience the delicate balance between proximity and distance, logic and creativity.'

Shine 2025: Building Presence and Expanding Horizons

The Shine 2025 programme has been invaluable, helping me develop skills in photography, exhibition presentation, and building a professional presence. It has also supported me in refining my online presence. Photography tutorials with Kay from the Goldsmiths’ Centre team have been particularly valuable, helping me understand how to present my work effectively and professionally.

This autumn is busy with exhibitions, including Goldsmiths’ Fair in London, shows in Hungary and Barcelona, and a community art project with an opening in September. Between exhibitions, I continue to develop my work, experimenting with new ideas and preparing for future collections.