Awasi Artist Immersion – Angela Bulich
From biologist to jewellery designer, Angela Bulich creates sculptural jewellery experimentally. “Everything I know about the craft I learned backwards, beginning making jewellery as art.”
“My scientific background taught me to observe closely, to understand structures and systems. This completely informs how I approach jewellery design.” – Angela Bulich
Bulich’s journey from marine biology to jewellery design might seem unlikely, but her residency at Awasi Iguazu revealed the deep connections between her two passions. Her work explores organic forms, biomimicry, and the mathematical patterns found in nature.
Nature as Blueprint
During her stay, Bulich spent hours studying the intricate structures of the rainforest – the spiral patterns of ferns unfurling, the hexagonal cells of wasps’ nests, the delicate architecture of spider webs pearled with morning dew.
“In the lab, I used to study these forms under a microscope,” she explains. “Now I translate them into wearable art. The rainforest is like a massive showroom of design possibilities that have been perfected over millions of years of evolution.”
Experimental Process
Working with locally sourced materials including seeds, wood, and even shed snake skins (ethically collected), Bulich created a series of pieces that blur the line between jewellery and sculpture. Her process involved extensive experimentation with preservation techniques and metal casting.
“I approach each piece like a scientific experiment – hypothesis, testing, refinement. Sometimes the failures teach me more than the successes.” – Angela Bulich
One of her most striking pieces incorporated the delicate skeleton of a leaf, electroformed in copper to preserve its intricate vein structure. The resulting pendant captures both the fragility and resilience of nature.
Bulich’s residency demonstrates how the Awasi Artist Immersion programme attracts creators from diverse backgrounds, fostering innovative approaches to art-making that are informed by deep engagement with the natural world.
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