Chang's work uses influences from nature. Bracelet (1998). © Peter Chang

Liverpool’s Walker Art Galley is showing Unnatural Selection, an exhibition of the unique work of artist Peter Chang, running until September 30 2007.

Chang is a sculpture and jewellery artist and is usually described as being a jeweller because of his bold work in this medium, although Chang prefers not to be labelled as either.

He creates bold and beautiful jewellery from household waste, using materials like acrylic, plastic and metal in his colourful work.

Chang’s inspiration includes both natural and urban environments and other influences like the 1960s Liverpool arts and music scene. Born in the city’s Toxteth neighbourhood, his father was a Chinese seaman while his mother was from a local family.

Plant and animal themes feature heavily in the work on show. Pepper Mill (1992). © Peter Chang

Toxteth is known for its multiculturalism, and this gives a hint as to how Chang’s work is so unique, as he’s been surrounded by different cultures throughout his life.

From 1962-1968 Chang studied art, graphic design, printmaking and sculpture at the Liverpool College of Art, after this he went on to study in Paris and London.

The exhibition includes dazzling work such as a sculpture of a multicoloured table which took nine months to make. Inspiration for it came from things as diverse as 1950s jukeboxes, mythology and Japanese armour. All this is reflected in the sculpture – it features a pattern with bold black lines and pink colours that could be taken straight from a Japanese shield.

Other works on display include a pair of earrings made from acrylic and glass featuring plant, animal and ocean themes.

Chang used colours the same way nature does - to warn or attract. Brooch (1995). © Peter Chang

Chang has tried to use colour in the same way nature uses it, to warn off or attract. An interesting pair of blue and red earrings are pieced together by different squares and look like the outside of an animal’s shell.

Apart from earrings a vast number of bracelets are displayed at the exhibition, made from acrylic, polyester and polyvinyl chloride. The detail in the bracelets is phenomenal and a great deal of care has clearly been taken over them.

They are interesting to look at because there are so many different things blended together in them from the colour to the vivid designs, influenced by the land, sky and sea and green, blue and beige-coloured giving them a natural tone. The designs are in fact inspired by aboriginal artwork, which is full of striking patterns.

Chang tries to make something special from normal household waste and every piece at the exhibition has achieved this all thanks to his imagination and skill, well worth a visit simply because it is so different, colourful and full of culture, with every piece telling a story.

Natalie Pearson is a 24 Hour Museum volunteer writer.