The Dickson Yewn brand has been in existence since 1995.
Dixon Yun was born into a poor but ambitious family. During the Second World War, his mother was forced to leave her native Hong Kong and settle in a small village where there was not even a school. Her parents struggled to make ends meet, and the girl had to learn … literally everything – from an early age. The jeweler recalled that his mother could make anything with her own hands – a painted lantern, festive home decor, clothes and … of course, jewelry. And although she did not have expensive materials and the necessary tools, creating jewelry for Dixon’s mother became a matter of life. The future jeweler spent long hours with her – a born designer – choosing stones, inventing shapes, discussing the intricacies of technology.
Dixon Yun has two sources of inspiration, and both have been with him since birth. The first is the history of the country, and the second is also the history of his own family. Chinese jewelry art has been developing for more than five thousand years, improving technology, and it seems that it is no longer easy to say your word, remaining within the tradition – however, the jeweler weaves motifs of painting, architecture, calligraphy into his work, dedicates rings with carved stones to philosophers and writers, encrypts mythological motifs in the curves of metal and the rhythm of diamonds. In itself, Chinese culture – ancient, complex, rich – is capable of endlessly opening up to those who decide to devote their lives to it.
He received an art education, and financial affairs in the family, meanwhile, went smoothly. My father managed to open his own store, and what a real Swiss watch they sold! Mother set up her jewelry shop in one of the main streets of her beloved Hong Kong. Dixon still spent a lot of time with her, helped and supported, but he also discovered in himself a passion for cinema. So – temporarily – he went off the path he had chosen in childhood. He painted pictures, studied to be a director (however, he did not succeed in the profession), was engaged in photography, worked in advertising … However, in 1995 the world saw his own jewelry brand – Yewn.
Dixon Yun’s rings belong to the category of conceptual art, built on Chinese traditions and the designer’s love for the history of his country. His works coexist with classic jewelry materials, unique decoration techniques and national images. Square rings with diamonds and rounded corners echo the “chopped” architecture of China, rich in triangular and rectangular details, intricate line connections. Unlike other jewelry artists of our time, Dixon Yun turned his gaze deep into history.
He does not pay attention to trends, does not focus on fashion. In his collections, he revives the cultural code that was accidentally erased by European civilization. Chinese houses have ceased to be original, and the famous lanterns have lost their fancy decor. Each ring made of gold and diamonds is a reference to the rich culture and life of ordinary people in China. In the collections of Dixon Yun’s rings, you can see imitations of wood carving, metal forging, assembly of festive boxes and even window bars of the ancient eastern state! He mixes styles and techniques, causing genuine interest among representatives of creative professions, actors and politicians.
Yewn’s mission is to introduce the Western world to the culture of China. Each piece of jewelry he creates tells a story, full of quotes and references. He calls his brand’s collections “an encyclopedia of Chinese aesthetics.” Western masters, he said, could create for the sake of beauty – but in the works of old Chinese masters there is always philosophy, poetry, hidden meaning. In Yewn jewelry, however, one can find hints of contemporary Chinese art.
