We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Aye Nyein Pyu about their original and creative Two Way Pendant and Brooch design work. Aye Nyein Pyu is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original two way pendant and brooch works.
Aye Nyein Pyu ("ANP") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Midnight Garden Two Way Pendant and Brooch. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
ANP : Midnight Garden is inspired by free-flowing uninhabited gardens deep in the forest where vibrant flowers, wildlife, and foliage thrive maximally. As I walk in, I imagine the dense emerald-green foliage flanking the entry way on one side while the ruby-red wisteria adorn the fringes of the garden. And in the ambient air, a dragonfly meanders around leaving a trail of playful blue which fills the nighttime with exultation. High above, the vault of the sky shimmers in twinkling stars. This utopian garden encapsulates my wish for Burma, my home country, to be free and independent like the spirits of the animals and flowers blooming at its full state.
ANP : Midnight Garden celebrates freedom and vibrancy through the idea of a full-fledged garden at its peak. Movement and energy is indicated in the wings of the butterflies, the flowing gold vines, and the swaying cluster of dazzling rubies. I have a background in fine arts and I like to treat the pieces of jewellery I design and create as a painting with multiple layers of colours and depth.
ANP : The development of the sketches of the design started in March of 2020 in Toronto and the final product was completed in September of 2020 in Toronto. The design process, from an idea to sketch, took about two months and the overall process of production of the piece including 3D prototyping and modifying took about 5 months. The jewellery piece has never been exhibited before.
ANP : This design is a result of my inspiration to produce a piecec that celebrates freedom and vibrancy through the idea of a full-fledged garden at its peak.
ANP : To me the energy of the garden is at its most brilliant under a moonlit sky, when the insects can be heard the loudest and the plants grow the fastest; therefore the name 'Midnight Garden'.
ANP : The design has multiple layers and hidden components to reflect the richness of biodiversity we see in a garden. The burst of colours in the design emulate the free-spirited nature of untamed flowers and wildlife. A playful element is evident in the ruby-clad beetle which is hidden underneath the centre garnet stone. The design also showcases movement through the hanging flowers embellished with small rubies.
ANP : With the dragonfly treated with the most amount of details in the design, I studied the movement and colours of the animal from my visit to the lakes and parks in Toronto. I also studied the anatomy of the dragonfly through online research tools in order to better render the form of the head, body, and tail. The unique style of stone setting apparent in the dragonfly's tail is the result of the careful analysis of the colour formation and larval body of the insect. Presenting myself in nature also allowed me to observe the interconnected nature of an ecosystem which I conveyed in the design through its many layers and components.
ANP : To fit all the components of the theme of a “midnight garden” into one single piece of jewellery was the most difficult challenge of the design. I wanted the piece to manifest elements of what I imagine a beautiful garden would have - vibrant flowers, fruits, luscious green leaves, dragonflies, ladybugs, peacocks - while also trying to portray them at a specific time of the day - under a starry night sky.
ANP : I simply wanted to share my art with an international audience to be appreciated.
