The Devil’s Westerlies Series

Each piece in "The Devil’s Westerlies Series" is hand-carved from South Pacific black-lipped pearl oyster shells or natural saltwater pearls, utilizing special technique. No two carvings are alike—every skull is singular, embodying irreplicable artistry.  

The name "The Devil’s Westerlies" refers to the Drake Passage, a treacherous maritime junction where the Atlantic and South Pacific oceans collide. In the 16th century, its violent storms and towering waves sank countless ships and claimed innumerable sailors. Today, it remains a crucial yet perilous gateway for Antarctic voyages. Beyond the terror of its tempests lies a revelation: an untouched glacial world, vast and serene. This duality mirrors the Chinese proverb “Rebirth through mortal peril” — a dialectical philosophy where despair and hope coexist. Just as the Drake Passage, seemingly a graveyard of storms, opens a path to uncharted beauty, the carved skulls transcend their macabre symbolism. Though they evoke mortality, they simultaneously embody renewal, reminding us that even in darkness, life persists.

About the creator

Zhang Jinyou is a carving artist who specializes in using natural materials such as bamboo, wood, animal teeth, animal horns, and agarwood as raw materials, relying on the original form and texture of the materials for carving and creation. His works are rooted in nature, respecting the inherent vitality of the materials themselves. While preserving the original appearance, he integrates unique artistic imagination and manual skills, presenting a carving language that combines both primitive charm and humanistic connotations.