Raissa Bump
The textural jewelry of American Raïssa Bump is reminiscent of fabric, which is not surprising since her practice includes works hand knit from natural fibers, as well as fabricated from metal. Whether patterned, layered, or open, the metal sheet and wire that she employs to create fluid necklaces, brooches, bracelets, rings, and earrings resonate with a lyric grace along with peaceful contemplation. She often pierces or scores the silver surface to intensify the tactile experience and/or incorporates enamel, natural or glass beads, or woven silk thread, to add color. Her pieces can be sizable; but they are always delicately conceived and achieve a sense of mass without the usually consequent weight.
Bump received a BFA with honors in Jewelry and Light Metals from Rhode Island School of Design, in addition to completing a course of intensive studio study at Alchimia School of Contemporary Jewelry and Design in Florence, Italy, where she studied with the legendary Giampaolo Babetto. She has participated in many group, solo, and two-person exhibitions, including Talente in Munic, Germany (2004) and has been included in several books on contemporary jewelry. Bump teaches workshops in jewelry, knitting and yoga; she is on the board of Art Jewelry Forum.
