Temple University cherry "T" logo

Tyler School of Art & Architecture

Search Keywords

Weiwei Li

Weiwei Li

MFA Student Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM

Website @w_ivy_w

Weiwei is a metalsmith and jewelry artist working within the field of contemporary craft and wearable art. Her research-based practice examines transformation, duality, and the emotional dimensions of growth.

Through her work, she investigates the relationship between interior and exterior, exploring the interplay between containment and expansion.  Grounded in methodology such as folding techniques and material experimentation, Weiwei merges processes — combining digital fabrication and traditional handcraft to transform two-dimensional patterns into sculptural forms. Working primarily with titanium and silver, she explores how surface, color, and structure can embody states of tension, play, and reflection. 

sample of Weiwei Li's work
sample of Weiwei Li's work

Artist Statement

Exploring how patterns transform forms drives my studio practice. I extend this idea by producing both wearable pieces and playful objects, inviting viewers to interact with the work in ways that allow transformation to continue through use. 

My practice centers on folding techniques and processes such as origami and kirigami, which serve as a foundation. I incorporate traditional metalsmithing techniques and hand fabrication, integrating them with digital technologies. This combination allows me to work across a range of materials, including metals, 3D printed components, and others. I remain curious about exploring additional materials according to the conceptual and formal needs of each piece. 

As these patterns shift, they create interior and exterior spaces that reveal tendencies toward protection and concealment, an intimate, hidden interior and a public exterior. These spatial dynamics mirror the complexities of human personality. Through play and interaction, I invite viewers to approach my work with childlike curiosity, engaging through touch and movement to navigate the layered emotions we carry as adults. By engaging with the pieces physically and intuitively, viewers are encouraged to reflect on these emotional states in ways that feel personal, immediate, and open-ended.