Esprit Joaillerie is pleased to introduce you to a bold designer, the jeweller Binliang Alexander Peng. He cultivates his joie de vivre by creating playful and uncomplicated jewellery. In gold or silver, his creations leave no one indifferent; he dares to use large volumes associated with coloured gemstones with a great deal of humour.
Discovered at the Timeless Jewels Fair jewelry show, organized by Myrtille Mouon and Charlotte Wannebroucq, it was acclaimed by the public for offering creations with gourmand and colorful stones in a setting made of bubbles of dreams supported by creative hands. Binliang Alexander Peng received the encouragement of the L’Alchimiste Prize, which augurs a bright future for this creative enthusiast of stories.
For Esprit Joaillerie, he took the time to talk about his creative journey and answer a few questions.
© Binliang Alexander Peng
Dear Binliang, how did your passion for jewelry come about?
Can you tell us about your career?
«During my childhood, I was always fascinated by the candy displays in supermarkets. Surprisingly, I bought a lot of candy not for eating, but to collect it! The colors and shapes of the candy fascinated me.
Later in adolescence, I felt the same way when I discovered the world of minerals and jewelry; since then it has been a love affair! To learn this beautiful profession of jeweler, I took an artistic preparatory class and then the Beaux-Arts school in Lyon before completing my training at the Haute École de joaillerie and the Boulle school.»
Ring «Guardians of Dreams»
Tourmaline, Gold
© Esprit Joaillerie
Binliang, what is the jewel that makes you dream?
«Of course: «The Heart of the Ocean» (Titanic) isn't so much the jewel that makes me dream but the story of love that surrounds it.
Besides, I still blame Rose for letting Jack die when his board was a king size!»
Is there a jeweler who inspired you?
«I started practicing jewelry making autodidactically during my years at the Fine Arts School in Lyon without knowing any jeweler; all I felt was the need to create my own jewelry.".
Now I have many friends and colleagues who are jewelry designers; they are all inspiring human beings.
Everything inspires me in life: Love, nature, books, poems, the milk clouds in my coffee cup in the morning, the aroma of the rice that is cooking…»
Earrings «Lucky Love»
Tourmaline Rose, Tourmaline Green, Gold, Silver.
© Binliang Alexander Peng
What is your favorite stone?
«I believe that in the world of gemstones, polyamory is allowed.".
So, I’m still hesitating between getting engaged to the Sphynx, getting married to the Emerald, starting a family with the Opal, or giving it all up and going with a Beach Stone!«
Ring «No Boring Ring»
Emerald, Galet, Gold.
© Esprit Joaillerie
What is the first piece of jewelry you made?
«My very first piece of jewelry was a necklace made of candies of all colors.»
Can you introduce us to two of your creations, explaining your choice?
The ring «Mi-Tiger Mi-Dragon» or «The Wandering Chimera», because I was born in China and came to France at the age of 6. I grew up with memories of temples filled with representations of tiger and dragon.
Having received a French education, I am today as French as a Chinese. This piece is a form of self-portrait; the chimera wears a green tourmaline and diamonds on blackened silver.
Ring «Chimerous Traveler»
Green Tourmaline, Diamonds, Blackened Silver
© Binliang Alexander Peng
The « Chocolat Menthe » ring. I was inspired by my childhood to create this ring. There was a very popular Japanese animated series called « magical girl » that I loved. It was often the story of a seemingly ordinary girl who discovers a magical object that transforms her into a superheroine to save the planet. I think it succeeded because this ring is truly magical! It features an emerald and diamonds surrounded by wood, yellow gold and rose gold.
Ring «Chocolate Mint»
Emerald, Wood, Diamonds, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold.
© Binliang Alexander Peng
Do you have any anecdotes related to one of your creations?
«All my pieces have a story; for example, the ring: «Dad and Mom Hippocampes decided to adopt a chicken egg»
One of my clients came to see me with a pearl belonging to her father; she had no idea and wanted me to design a ring for her. After several exchanges, I offered her this creation.
The pearl is an organic gem, and the one from my client is a pearly bead that is said to be Baroque, that is, in the shape of an egg. I immediately thought of sculpting a ring with organic shapes and little hippocampuses around it. Because in hippocampuses, it is the fathers who take care of the babies. The idea greatly moved my client; it makes me very proud to be able to create something that is not just a simple jewel but a mark on her life. »
Ring «The Hippocampus Ball»
Chrysoprase, Opales Roses, Amethysts, Cornalines, Citrines, Pearls, Gold, Silver.
© Binliang Alexander Peng
When you create, do you listen to any particular music that inspires you?
«I love music, but not when I'm working; otherwise I could spend the whole day singing!»
If you had to choose a work of art?
«Van Gogh's sunflowers. When I arrived in France at the age of 6, there was a reproduction of this painting in my room; I looked at it every day without knowing the name of the artist. Two years later we moved, and over time I eventually forgot about this pot of yellow flowers. It was by sheer chance, while visiting the National Gallery in London during a stay, that I came face to face with the authentic painting. I was 10 years old, and I still remember that warm feeling as if I had found a copy of my old roommate.»
Chvalière ring «Pot de Miel»
Grenat Hessonite, Silver.
© Esprit Joaillerie
A reading you haven’t forgotten?
« I really liked Paul Auster’s Leviathan and Dostoevsky’s Idiot. »
What can I wish you? ?
»Of Love, Passion, Spirit and Jewelry 😉!«
© Esprit Joaillerie
Dear Binliang, thank you so much for this warm exchange that reminds us that artists have managed to retain a child’s soul.
