Y Yumei Ouyang

03 · Material exploration · 2026

Woven
Tension

A copper and brass object that translates observed weaving rhythm, repetition and tension into contemporary material form.

Completed Woven Tension copper and brass basket flower objectBrass flower arrangement detailCircular woven copper basket textureFlat chased copper basket sectionCurved chased copper basket section

Project overview

01Role
Visual research, form development, metal forming and documentation
02Audience
Viewers interested in contemporary craft, material culture and object design
03Problem
Cultural craft references can be reduced to decoration when their structure is not understood
04Why
Explore how observed weaving logic can inform a new object through careful translation
05Outcome
A copper vessel and floral support system shaped through forming, weaving and joining
06Skills
Cultural visual research, material testing, form development and craft photography

Why it matters

Hard metal.
Living memory.

Woven Tension studies rhythm, repetition and structural tension in Chinese bamboo weaving, then translates those observations through copper and brass. The project treats cultural reference as a starting point for visual research and material experimentation rather than a surface decoration.

Research · Direction

Repetition, memory
and material.

Woven Tension concept statement
Concept · repetition, memory and material
Woven vessel and botanical form research
Form and structure research

Source · Translation

Pattern becomes
structure.

Four selected stages show how observed rhythm and repeated marks moved from research into the final object.

Woven vessel and botanical source research
01Observe pattern
Circular woven copper rhythm study
02Extract rhythm
Curved copper form study
03Test curvature
Resolved Woven Tension object
04Resolve object

Making · Detail

Letting process
remain visible.

Translating bamboo weaving into metal
Translating bamboo weaving into metal
Annealing and vessel formation
Annealing and vessel formation
Copper vessel construction stages
Constructing the vessel
Constructing the brass flower forms
Constructing the flowers
Flower support system development
Flower support system
Final Woven Tension copper and brass object
Final object · copper, brass and visible handwork
HAMMERCHASEFORMWEAVE
01

Chased surface

Repeated marks preserve the force and time of making.

02

Woven structure

Metal wire shifts from rigid line to flexible surface.

03

Organic contrast

Brass flowers interrupt the dark copper with moments of light.