Willemien Bruwer - South Africa/Belgium - Global Creative Graduate Showcase
Willemien Bruwer
Designer biography:
Willemien is working towards a possible PHD in Visual Arts in 2025 at PXL-MAD in Hasselt, where she completed her masters' degree from 2022 to 2023. She started her journey as a bachelor's student at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where she originates from. Her artworks have been showcased around the world in Gallery Marzee's Graduate Show in 2023 and Munich Jewellery Week. She was also nominated for the Art Jewellery Forum Outstanding Students of 2023. Her artworks act as objects that speak on the Anthropocene and the importance of activism for our environment that we share with millions of non-human others.
Collection concept:
This body of work explores notions of mutualistic symbiosis between animals and insects to their nests in their local environment through an artistic research project within which jewellery is produced. I focused on the imagery and methods of nest building of multiple insects, but mainly focused on the termite. Organic symbiosis is explored through notions of materiality, cocreation, locale, biomimicry and evolution. I utilized found wood that was already ravaged by termites and beetles, and poured PU resin onto the wood. I spent alot of time ethically sourcing the resin I used, some which was from expired sources, others were from damaged bottles from a local company that could not be sold. The specific materials I used can be recycled into other plastic objects afterwards. The metals I used were mainly silver, which can also be recycled. It was important for my practice to only utilize ethically sourced, or found objects in my art jewellery objects.
WillemienBruwer_brooches_eight eyes_2023_PU resin, apricot wood, sterling silver, stainless steel wire.
WillemienBruwer_Jagged_2023_Ring_PU resin, apricot wood
WillemienBruwer_You Stay Here!_2023_Ring_PU resin, apricot wood, sterling silver. 4x5x3.5cm
WillemienBruwer_necklace_Termite Mountain_PU resin, apricot wood, sterling silver.
WillemienBruwer_Tunnel & Mound_2023_Bracelet_PU resin, apricot wood, sterling silver_9.5x14x1cm_2