Neck Piece

Neck Piece by Kai Chan is an eye-catching work of art jewellery made from rattan, a type of climbing palm native to Southeast Asia. Although this lightweight and pliable fibre is often associated with domestic crafts like basketry and wickerwork rather than fine jewellery, the artist’s use of rattan elevates the material and reflects his preference for natural and everyday materials. By bending the rattan into an organic, oblong shape, Chan creates a structure that delicately frames the wearer’s décolletage. Neck Piece evokes the style of the new jewellery movement of the 1980s, which is characterized by the use of unconventional materials, maximalism, and unique approaches to size, form, and placement on the body. 
 

Currently on display at Cambridge Public Library, Queen's Square, first floor