Yao Tan . Artist

Yao Tan, a gifted artist and jewelry maker from China, has an impressive academic background. She earned a bachelor's degree in furniture design in 2012, followed by a BFA and an MA in contemporary art from Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Art de Limoges, France. Her notable achievements include having her works selected for the esteemed Marzee International Graduate Show in the Netherlands.

Tan's artistry is distinct for its exploration of the interaction between exhibition spaces and small-scale objects. Her focus is on the realms of perception and imagination related to the human body, employing these concepts to reforge sensation pathways in societies undergoing a "crisis of sensitivity." Her work serves as a form of resistance to the overwhelming and often absurd grand narratives of our time. This approach not only showcases her artistic skill but also her dedication to engaging with important socio-cultural themes through her art.


Her collection probes the subtle ambiguity between feminine and masculine elements. Drawing inspiration from Marcel Duchamp's concept of "Infra-mince," which denotes something barely perceptible or identifiable, her work orbits around the ambiguous perception of the body and its imaginative aspects. Tan's creative process is driven by themes such as vulnerability, mutations, dualities, and formal metamorphosis. The resulting jewelry pieces, reminiscent of chimeras, are tactile and sensitive objects that continually challenge our understanding of carnal desires. In this series, she tactfully navigates themes of eroticism, blending sensitivity with poetry, irony, and at times, hints of more intense or violent narratives. Her art interprets these complex themes in a way that is both thought-provoking and layered.

Available works


Swelling . necklace

Material: Porcelain, copper, pearls, silver, agate
Size: chain length 40 cm, pendant 7.5 cm x 9 cm 2023

One of kind

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IELLE. necklace

Material: copper, ribbon, inox steel
Size: 3 cm x 10 cm x 40cm 2021

One of kind

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Tie . ring

Material: Copper Size: 4 cm x 3.5 cm 2021

One of kind

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Désir #3 . Necklace

Material: porcelain, copper, vintage ribbon, resin Size: 3 cm x 10cm x 40cm 2021

One of kind

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Nœud . brooch

Material: Brass, porcelain,lacquer
Size: 13 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm 2023

One of kind

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Fecundity . necklace

Material: Cooper, iron, lace
Size: pendant hight 14 cm, lace ribbon 96 cm 2023

One of kind

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Crack . brooch

Material: copper, inox Size: 12.5 x 11 cm. 2021

One of kind

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Excude . necklace

Material: Copper,ribbon,brass,bead Size: pendant hight 14 cm, ribbon 100 cm 2023

One of kind

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Saliva . necklace

Material: Copper,Onyx,Steel wire Size: pendant hight 14 cm, ribbon 100 cm 2023

One of kind

Publication