London: Gem-A (the Gemmological Association of Great Britain) will welcome internationally-recognised jewellery artist, Wallace Chan, to its annual Gem-A Conference opening on November 3, 2018.
Mr. Chan will be the inaugural speaker at the two-day Conference, which gathers the world’s leading gemmologists, mining specialists, geologists, jewellery collectors, gemstone cutters and jewellery historians to London for a range of insightful talks and workshops.
For 45-years, Wallace Chan has been a leader in innovative gemstone carving and jewellery making techniques. His talents have led to the creation of numerous innovations, which have thus far included: the mastery of titanium in jewellery making, the Wallace Cut (an illusionary three-dimensional carving technique), a patented jadeite luminosity-enhancing technology, and the invention of elaborate gemstone settings without metal claws. Each creation is an embodiment of poetic aesthetics and a philosophical exploration of the universe, narrating stories of the past and present, and visions for the future.
Mr. Chan gained worldwide recognition by becoming the first Chinese jewellery artist to exhibit at prestigious art fairs like The European Fine Art Fair (Maastricht 2016-2018, New York 2016-2017) and Biennale des Antiquaires (Paris, 2012 and 2014). His creations have also been featured in solo exhibitions at the Gemological Institute of America Museum (California, 2011); the Capital Museum (Beijing, 2010); Kaohsiung Museum of History (Taiwan, 1999), and Deutsches Edelsteinmuseum (Germany, 1992). To date, his speaking credits include Sciences Po (Paris, 2018); Harvard University (Cambridge, 2017); Central Saint Martins (London, 2017); the V&A Museum (London, 2016), and Christie’s (Paris, 2014). In 2016, he celebrated the release of his first illustrated monograph, Dream Light Water, with a presentation at the Cooper Hewitt Museum (New York).
Gem-A Marketing and Events Manager, Elaine Ruddie FGA DGA, says, “We are delighted to welcome Wallace Chan to London. The Gem-A Conference is a destination for qualified gemmologists and gemstone enthusiasts alike, and I know that Mr. Chan’s 45-year career will offer the ideal dose of inspiration to open our first day.”
In addition to Mr. Chan, speakers at the Gem-A Conference 2018 will include Fijian cultured pearl specialist and founder of J.Hunter Pearls, Justin Hunter; specialist in Afghani and Pakistani gem deposits, Peter Lyckberg; gem-cutter, Victor Tuzlukov; curator-in-charge of the Smithsonian’s mineral collection, Dr. Jeffrey Post; mining insider and social influencer, Monica Stephenson; vice-president of the Coral Commission in CIBJO, Rui Galopim de Carvalho FGA DGA;gem-mineral collector and dealer, Federico Barlocher; and curator at the Mineralogy Museum of, l’École des Mines de Paris, now known as MINES ParisTech, Dr. Eloïse Gaillou.
Along with world-class talks, the Gem-A Conference also serves as a forum for delegates, allowing them to network with their industry colleagues and peers in a friendly and relaxed environment. This year, the opening night of the Conference will welcome guests aboard the Elizabethan – a replica 1890s paddle steamer – for an evening of dining and entertainment along the River Thames.
The Gem-A Conference will be accompanied by field trips to the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, the V&A and the Natural History Museum and workshops hosted by Gemworld International and MAGILABS.
