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Pei-Jung Chen is a contemporary metal smith and sculptor from Taipei, Taiwan. She is a professor of metals and jewelry at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Chen received her Master of Fine Art’s degree in metals and jewelry from SCAD in 2002. Previously, she studied industrial engineering and management at St. John and St. Mary’s Institute of Technology and graduated in 1994.She also received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology. Chen was a “3M and SNAG Innovative and Tool” third place winner in 2002. Her other awards include finalist of the Second American Craft Museum Horizon Award Competition in 2002, Outstanding Achievement in Metals and Jewelry Award at SCAD in 2002, May Poetter Gallery Award at SCAD for Student Showsase in 2001, and finalist for NICHE Student Awards in Fine Jewelry in 2001."Art is a nonverbal language, and language is a form of communication. My work is a form of language and expression. It functions as a bridge of communication as well as a messenger between viewers, wearers and me. I consider my jewelry to be small sculpture. Although jewelry was traditionally meant to worn, my pieces can be displayed by themselves or on the body as a portable sculpture. Since jewelry functions as a messenger, it speaks to viewers and translates an artist’s thoughts. But it is also conceivable as an aesthetic message of art without any other purpose. When I work with materials, I am always concerned with the development of content and forms; which appropriately expresses my concept. I work with both precious and non-precious materials and base my decision on aesthetic significance and characteristics of the materials. Monetary value is not a serious concern for me. Rather, creative spirit and ideas are essential elements in my work. My mission is to not only make objects, but also make objects that communicate my spirit to our surrounding environment."
