Contemporary Jewellery: Exploring Its Impact on Well-Being (exhibition)

Throughout history, jewellery as an intimate object, has decorated our bodies and developed a variety of meanings and functions. This exhibition presents parts of Yajie’s doctoral research, exploring whether and how contemporary jewellery impacts people’s well-being. The exhibition also traces Yajie’s artistic practice in contemporary jewellery, from initial inspiration and material experimentation to the creation of final pieces. 

This PhD research employed various methods, including well-being scales, diaries, and semi-structured interviews to comprehensively explore the multifaceted impact of contemporary jewellery on our well-being. 

About the artist: 

Yajie Hu is currently a doctoral researcher in the School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University and an LU Arts arts worker. Alongside her research role, she is also a contemporary jewellery artist, exhibiting her creations internationally. Her work has been exhibited at events such as TALENTE 2018 during Munich Jewellery Week. She was one of the three winners of the Preziosa Young Design Competition 2019 in Florence and also a recipient of the Porto Joia Award at Collectiva 2019 in Porto. Her passion for contemporary jewellery has inspired her to delve deeper into research, combining her creative work with academic study.

Browse Yajie's website

Accessibility

There is step-free access into the gallery via a ramp and side door. During opening hours, there will be an invigilator on duty in the gallery. If you require their assistance, then please alert them on arrival by calling to them or waving at them – the entrance to the gallery is fully glazed and the main entrance door should be open.

For more information about the venue, including photographs, view the access guide for Martin Hall on AccessAble.

If you have any specific access requirements, then please contact LUArts@lboro.ac.uk in advance of your visit and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Facilities

There are toilets located on the ground floor of Martin Hall. Due to building work, the toilets currently in use are accessed through Martin Hall Theatre. Please follow the signs. There is step-free access into this building.

Martin Hall Cafe serves light refreshments and is open from 8.30am to 3.30pm weekdays only. It is located behind the gallery, accessed through the main entrance to Martin Hall.

Parking

Please note that visitors are now required to register their vehicle and pay to park on campus. There are various ways in which you can register and pay (both in advance and on arrival).

More information on visitor parking

Public transport

If you are travelling by public transport, you can take the Sprint Bus from Loughborough railway station or the town centre (Ashby Square) and alight at Loughborough College. Cross Epinal Way at the pedestrian crossing and keep going straight ahead to enter campus. This brings you onto Shirley Pearce Square, with Martin Hall on the left. 

View the full Sprint Bus timetable.

Image credit: Yajie Hu 2024