The Five Senses, Brought to Life
This is the story behind a very special collaboration, a jewelry collection inspired by the vibrant and evocative works from Lauren Hana Chai’s exhibition, The Five Senses, at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA). Transforming her signature themes and imagery into wearable art was an incredibly rewarding process, one that beautifully intertwined our creative visions.
Designing in Collaboration
Lauren and I first connected during a watercolor class she co-taught just after covid lockdowns eased. Over time, our conversations sparked the idea of working together. When The Five Senses exhibition was scheduled at HoMA, we were invited to collaborate on a special bespoke collection exclusively available at the museum, inspired by her show.
The process began with brainstorming what the collection could be. Lauren’s now-iconic Korean peaches immediately stood out, their bold and sensuous forms serving as the perfect inspiration. She visited my studio, where I introduced her to the craft of metalsmithing by teaching her how to make a sterling silver ring. This hands-on experience gave her a deeper understanding of what metal could or couldn’t do, which informed the creative process.
From there, we sketched out designs inspired by the mood and motifs of her exhibition and what we discovered together in the studio. To help visualize how our ideas could be executed, I brought these sketches to life with watercolor renderings. These became a bridge between concept and reality, allowing us to see how her themes could transform into wearable art.
Once the designs were finalized, I crafted the collection in metal and stone, carefully working to translate Lauren’s dynamic imagery into jewelry. The resulting pieces reflect both the energy of her artwork and my signature aesthetic.
A Story of Transformation
For me, this collaboration was not just about creating beautiful jewelry but also about celebrating resilience and transformation. My journey into metalsmithing began after a series of personal challenges, including multiple surgeries and major life changes. Recovering from these marked a new chapter of artistic renewal for me, and I brought that energy into every piece of this collection.
Metalsmithing is an intimate and meditative process, requiring hours of focused work—sawing, soldering, sanding, polishing, and setting stones. Each piece in The Five Senses collection carries the care and intention I put into it, and I hope that energy resonates with those who wear them.
This collection represents not only a fusion of art forms but also a shared passion for storytelling through our respective mediums. I am honored to have collaborated with Lauren and grateful to HoMA for providing the platform that brought this vision to life.
