Rachel Ruiyi Wang

a fork extending itself from one plate to another, where a knife sits on

Ruiyi Wang is a Shanghainese artist and maker based in London. Her artistic practice is characterised by innovation, humour, and a profound fascination with everyday objects. Motivated by a persistent interest in applied art, Ruiyi completed her BA in Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martin’s (UAL) before pursuing her MA in Jewellery & Metal at the Royal College of Art. Her experiences also include working on fashion jewellery for designer brands in Shanghai and exhibiting her contemporary artwork in London and Munich.

a plate with a fork carved inside, resting on the edge of a chair

Throughout my jewellery projects, I consistently draw inspiration from everyday objects, which serve as a major source of creativity. Grounded in ordinary daily life, my work aims to establish a strong connection with the audience. The core value of my work lies in uncovering overlooked aspects of common things.

Intrigued by the conflict of individuals suppressing their instinctive needs in order to conform to social norms, my current focus revolves around reconstructing human culture and conveying my thoughts through anthropomorphic objects placed in a domestic setting.

"The Restaurant" seeks to unearth the hidden social rules within the dining space and reveal the primal instinct of human beings through domestic objects. By incorporating ready-made crockery supplied by a Michelin restaurant, I create a stage for the cutlery to improvise in fine dining. Disregarding the customary rules of table manners, the cutlery preys on food out of instinct.

Through the manipulation of relatable dining situations, I intend to disrupt the familiar and subtly unsettle the audience, evoking a slight sense of discomfort. Bon appétit.

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