Jonathan Yun Jewelry

I Believe I Can Fly 2024
Copper
100cm x 100cm

Every single person who has ever had a dream in their life and saw it come alive, see the dream take flight and soar high in the sky knows the sleepiness nights, the silent tears and deep prayers also knows it's all worth it!

This is the fourth sculpture made and it's the largest I've done. The wings are the crozier/fern fronds.

It's a celebration of victory!

Moon River, 2024
Sterling Silver, Drift Wood

"We're after the same rainbow's end..
Waiting round the bend
My Huckleberry friend"

Life as in a meandering river, is filled with amazing possibilities as well as deep treacheries..hard as it is to cross the river, what more to cross it in style..But blessed is the one who is able to do that with their Huckleberry friend.

Who is this Huckleberry Friend? Some say it's referencing Mark Twain's character Huckleberry Finn. Some said it's Mercer's( song's lyricist) carefree days of picking huckleberries with his childhood friend down by the lazy river in Georgia.

To me, it's that one friend who will walk beside you, through thick and thin.." Two Drifters, off to see the world, there's such a lot of world to see"

Do switch on the sound, to hear Audrey Hepburn's rendition which is pure magic..capturing the longings of souls to making their dreams come true in the big city!

The Impossible Dream, 2024,
Copper patina-ed, Drift Wood

I have 2 Burmese craftsmen, Zaw and Myo who used to bicycle to work when they started working for me. Today they both ride motorbikes to work. Both came here to find greener pastures. To get where they are took a bit of a climb but they dreamt of a better life for themselves and their families...

It wasn't an easy journey for me as well. Facing various challenges through all these years..of getting my work copied, threatened to be beaten up because I exposed them, relocating my gallery, COVID and the threat of losing Zaw and Myo as I had difficulties obtaining their work permits last year...amidst family trials...

Just like the inspiration behind this sculpture, the Fern has leaves starting life from a tiny curled up head called the crozier and slowly unfurling into a full grown frond, beating scorching heat, the lack of water and insects eating the tender shoots, before it can grow into its full potential..we live our dreams, one frond at a time..no matter how impossible, with God's help we can!

Here's the exhibition that fills me with excitement as well as trepidations. I am not sure in the history of Malaysian art if there is anyone presenting jewelry as art! I may possibly be one of the few rare ones doing it in a group show with 6 other artists. Would the public as in the Malaysian public be ready to accept jewelry as an art form? Or would they reject it outright.

What would viewers of my work be expecting? Well I will have a couple of metal sculptures along side jewelry scale sculptures too ...but for sure the pretty will be there because aesthetic values are right up there in my work. I refuse to make ugly things and perhaps this obstinate stance may do me in as the general public might think to qualify as art, it must looked quite tortured and the pretty pieces are relegated as mere ornamentation and accessories..
Oh how I cringe at the word...accessories to what? Jewelry is not seen as a complete entity..and often deemed an accompaniment to the main thing which is what the fashion industry has always positioned jewelry to be!

Nevertheless I will invite all of you to view this exhibition and let me know your thoughts!

2 more weeks...yikes! To the opening of a group art exhibition I'm participating with 6 other artists in a show called " More Men( and a Woman) with Plants!

Seems I have been preparing my entire life to debut in this show and I'm nervously putting myself out there, my deepest thoughts, my life..for all and sundry to see....

Gorgonian Coral Necklace, latest design 2024

They say 8 koi represents prosperity and incoming wealth into your family and business..so does a pair of earrings mean double portion?

Will be participating in this event in KL this coming weekend! Have created 2 new ranges of jewelry, The Candy Collection and The Jade It Collection premiering at the fair along with award winning piece, The Vida Botanica and many other creations!

“Elevate your weekend plans with a dose of creativity at the CIMB Hotel Art Fair! Join us on 29-30 June 2024, from 11am to 7pm, at the stunning Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, City Centre.

Uncover inspiring artworks, mingle with fellow art enthusiasts, gain insights from art talks, and experience the intersection of art and hospitality like never before. See you there!








”

Whats In An Award!

Long ago, fresh out of Art School, I joined an international Jewelry Design Competition organised by the Hong Kong Jewellery Fair and I won an award for the design I submitted.. then it was more for a personal validation, that I can stand on my own against the bigshots in Hong Kong. Then a few year later, I joined another competition in Singapore and won...just in case the first award was a fluke!

After that the desire to join another competition slowly ceased.

Fast forward, 10yrs into my jewelry business, I joined the Malaysian Fashion Week and was awarded The Jimmy Choo's award for the Best Accessory Designer. It was a surprised because I had not expected it but it was a validation from the industry. I also ws awarded another Best designer fr Malaysia in Bali two years later.

Last year, I decided to enter a necklace to be assessed by the Malaysia Design Council or MRM ( Majlis Rekabentuk Malaysia) Actually several personnels from MRM approached me to submit 2 years ago but I didnt see a point in doing so.

But covid had changed the buying habits drastically. The business I had built based on word of mouth recommendation somehow became not as effective. And Social Media had changed the entire landscape of promotion. It's way faster... (just as fast they will viral you, they may cancel you the next instance you offend the them.)

So finally I submitted a necklace called Vida Botanica late last year and in February 2024, the Sektariat of MRM and 8 other Jury ( consists of industry experts and many proffesors specialising in the field of design) came to my atelier where I had to do a presentation of the design and conduct a tour of my workshop. And few months later, I received an email that I was one of the award winner!

Yesterday I attended the ceremony to be presented with the MALAYSIA GOOD DESIGN AWARD! This design award is for ALL my long time clients who had supported and believed in me from day one till today!

Lotus Pond Pendant with green and pink tourmalines against the backdrop of a Jadeite Disk!

She came for lunch all decked out in designs I had forgotten I had made like this double gingko ring! Thank you for reminding me of all the pieces you collected and proudly wear them all these years!

A client, D suggests to make her Candy Ring in pastel colored precious stones and here is the result which I absolutely adore. Stones used are amethyst, tanzanite, blue topaz, peridot, pink tourmaline and green tourmaline.

Emerald, Blue Zircon and Paui shell pendant necklace!

Candy color ring with peridot, tanzanite, rubellite, blue topaz, amethyst and hessonite!

Narinder and her sisters were one of the earliest clients who have supported my works all these years.

And she came in for a repair job but saw a pair of earrings which she decided on as a treat for herself. She looked so good in it and I couldn't helped but asked if she cld pose with the pretty sundress she was wearing as I took the picture.

Here she is wearing the gothic architecture inspired earrings with green sapphire! Don't you think she looks gorgeous?
(Posting here with her permission)

Knock and it shall be open...

Sculpture on your hand....

Beautiful Nadira Isaac, wearing original Jonathan Yun mismatched earrings at her sashing ceremony at the Miss Earth International Pageant!

Sponsoring jewelry for models to wear for Country Fair Cecelia Lim's Kebaya show at the Penang State Chinese Association's 103rd Anniversary Gala Dinner

Just completed The Peranakan Convention Bazaar at Malacca 2023

Five Fishes & Two Loaves!

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do, there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
The kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out
With the trust of a child
He said:

"Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all to feed them all"

I often think about that boy when I'm feeling small
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all

But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer

So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small

I trust in you
I trust in you
So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
No gift is too small

Here are the Maharani Malaysia queens wearing the crowns we made. The earrings I made for the contestants to wear incidentally matched the crowns they won!

Maharani Earth Malaysia is Nadira Isaac who won the Rainforest emerald green crown was randomly given the green earrings to wear that night!

Maharani Eco Malaysia is Jesicca Gomez who was wearing a blue ocean waves gown, and the blue earrings which matched the blue coral Ocean crown perfectly!

Maharani Asia Pacific Malaysia, Carol Lye was originally suppose to wear a red pair of earrings but as the backing was loose, at the last minute she used her own earrings but her original pair matched the red Phoenix crown!

Maharani Air Malaysia is Samantha Boudville
Maharani Water Malaysia is Celine Ng
Maharani Fire Malaysia is Bella Tey

The Rise of the Phoenix Crown- Maharani Malaysia's 3rd crown for Miss Asia Pacific Malaysia!

Out of the fiery ashes, the Phoenix is a symbol of beauty and elegance. And that is the inspiration behind this crown.

Despite the odds, despite the challenges, a strong queen shall rise to the throne at Maharani's inaugural Gala Nite to be held tomorrow!

The Coral Ocean Crown for Maharani Malaysia's Miss Eco Malaysia

Taking a dive into the deep blue sea finding how marine life depending on each other to survive. That is the source of inspiration for this crown which took hours of crafting the fine filigree aspect of the fragile coral motif and accented with blue gemstones!

But more than just a pretty design is the message of bringing awareness to the impact of human intervention that can either bring about the decimation of coral reef or to bring healing to the coral reef which ultimately will heal the world we live in!

Meet the visionary behind Jonathan Yun Jewellery! 🌟

Visit his booth during Asia's Jewellery, Handbag and Accessories Conference & Trade Show (ajhatradeshow.com) this Saturday 26th August at Royale Chulan from 9am-5pm and explore his exquisite collections.

Every piece is a masterpiece. Don't miss the chance to get your signed MODA coffee table book too!

The Glorious Earth Crown for Maharani Malaysia took 160 hours to make and is made with Sterling Silver and set with Gemstone!

It is inspired by the tropical rainforest and the abundance of verdant greens which is the natural habitat to a diverse number of living creatures. This crown serves as a clarion call to keep the glory of our mother earth intact and not to r**e and strip her bare and in doing that killing and murdering a hosts of animals!

Elegance personified! Discover the allure of Jonathan Yun Jewelry's creations at Asia's Jewellery, Handbag and Accessories Conference & Trade Show (ajhatradeshow.com) this Saturday 26th August at Royale Chulan from 9am-5pm.

From timeless classics to contemporary marvels, each piece tells a unique story. Get ready to find your perfect statement piece.

See you at the event!

Values...

Values are what we hold dear to our hearts. It may be tangible things or intangible things. It may be living persons or animals. Values can be good and honorable but they can also be bad and despicable!

Many values are passed on from one generation to the next or from one person to the next.

As little kids we collect values and by the time we reach adulthood we have enough values to form what and who we have become. What we like or dislike. What we highly esteem and what we consider as rubbish.

Many times I have encountered people who roughly picked up a piece of my work and only to throw it down on the table with a thud. Much as I would like to lash out a litany of choice words, most of the times I keep quiet. You see there's no point to tell someone how to like, love or appreciate a piece of jewelry when the jewelry values are absent in their lives. They will never get it. By their act of roughly mishandling the jewelry, you already know to them jewelry is trash and have no place in their lives. Any attempts to point things out to them would end in a huge fight!

And that's just a piece of inanimate object. I shudder to think of the injustice and mistreatment of living things such as animals or even people. Some just have a missing value to love and in its place is a dark deep hatred. That's how most offenders of cruelty to animals or bullies to inflict pain on their worthless objects can partake of their horrendous acts.