Tina Chiu

Your art beautifully merges jewelry design and painting. How did the idea of creating “Gem Art” first come to you?

Being a jewelry designer, I am surrounded by various kinds of precious stones. The inspiration hit me one day while I was painting—a somewhat daring thought—that incorporating these gems into a canvas would certainly make the artwork dazzling, aesthetically beautiful, and three-dimensional, giving it a unique edge. So, I experimented by merging gemstones with painting and created my first artwork. To my surprise, that very piece was later chosen to be exhibited in both Zurich, Switzerland, and the Louvre. This success truly pioneered a different and exceptional approach to my artistic work.

You often use natural gemstones and gold leaf. How do you choose which stones to include in each artwork?

​I select different types and sizes of gemstones based on the painting’s content, including the subject matter, colors, lines, and specific areas or sections.

​To enhance the sense of depth and richness, I stack gemstones of varying shades within the same color family. Sometimes, I also use gemstones to create a color contrast with the painting, which helps emphasize the artwork’s light-and-shadow contrast .

​Given that gemstones differ in texture and luster, the selection process is occasionally intuitive. It is a fusion of rationality and sensibility, where logic and intuition alternate.

In your statement, you mention that faith became the source of your creative energy. Could you tell us more about how spirituality influences your art?

​I once attended a church class on prophetic painting, where I learned to hear God’s voice and how to worship and praise God before painting. During the creative process, I learned to receive the filling and blessing of the Holy Spirit. After completing this special course, I was able to hear the voice of God. Guided by the Holy Spirit, my paintbrush began to freely express the deepest feelings of my heart.

​During the COVID-19 pandemic, when I was unable to go out and was confined at home every day, I was admiring the beautiful plants and flowers in the rooftop garden one day when I suddenly heard God say to me: “Tina, paint these beautiful plants!” I didn’t doubt the Holy Spirit and followed God’s guidance. So, during the pandemic, I picked up my paintbrush again at home and began to create freely, drawing these beautiful plants and flowers. Unexpectedly, this marked the beginning of my artistic journey.

You’ve exhibited internationally — from Paris to Zurich. What have been your most memorable exhibition experiences?

​The most unforgettable exhibition experience I’ve had was at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Just a few days before my exhibition was scheduled, rumors spread that the Louvre had received a bomb threat and was the target of a terrorist attack. I had already arranged my flights and hotel in France and was extremely worried that the exhibition would be cancelled. I had poured four months of sleepless work into creating my gemstone painting, and I was deeply looking forward to showing it.

​Fortunately, after the police sealed off the area and completed their thorough investigation, the Louvre surprisingly reopened just one day before the exhibition. Consequently, my work was displayed as planned.

​During the exhibition, visitors from around the world gazed at my gemstone painting, “The Golden Peacock,” in amazement. As they approached it, they realized it wasn’t a conventional painting but a three-dimensional artwork made of natural gemstones. They commented that they had never seen anything like it at the Louvre before, saying it was truly brilliant and beautiful, and many eagerly took photos with my work. I shared with them the story behind the piece, which is based on my novel, “The Peacock Princess, Odilia.” The thrilling tale captivated them completely.

Tina Chiu | Dancing Diva | 2023

How has your background in drama and theatrical storytelling shaped the narratives in your artworks?

​My works are filled with unique stories that I have created. Because I loved reading since I was a child and studied drama in college, I have also watched a great number of classic and independent stage plays and films. The different characters and settings within them have given me a tremendous amount of inspiration. These stories I have viewed have taken root and blossomed in my subconscious and conscious mind. Consequently, when I create my paintings, I have an endless supply of creative material, allowing me to fully exercise my wild and boundless imagination.

Gemstones are often associated with healing and energy. Do you feel that creating with them has a therapeutic effect for you personally?

​As I quietly gaze at the gemstones, it is as if they speak to me, soothing the past fears or wounds in my heart. Their hard texture and brilliant luster teach me to be strong and to appreciate my own beauty. Some gems are translucent and bright, like pure and innocent children. Others possess beautiful textures, like wise sages.

Through the distinct characteristics of these different types of gemstones, I learn many different life philosophies and thoughts. There is a power within the inner world of every gem; they are subterranean treasures that have existed for tens or hundreds of thousands of years. Though they do not speak, they express their vitality through the color and luster they present.

Your personal journey — overcoming challenges and rediscovering your voice through art — is very inspiring. What advice would you give to others seeking transformation through creativity?

Creativity is a wonderful way to break free from constraints and shackles, allowing old thought patterns to evolve into new ones, which is a great thing. Sometimes, problems that are difficult to solve, or situations that seem impossible to turn around, can perhaps be easily overcome with creativity.

​Everyone possesses astonishing creativity, but their potential needs to be unlocked. The first step to believing you can have great creativity is finding a key for yourself, and this key is called ‘the courage to break through’.

​The way to seek this key is by finding inspiration through various activities such as traveling, engaging with nature, visiting exhibitions, reading, listening to music, cooking, playing, and then realizing it through artistic creation.