info@julieusel.com @julie.usel https://www.facebook.com/julie.usel
MY WORK
My artistic practice is fueled by a deep love of imitation, juxtaposition and repetition.
I love working with unexpected, contrasting, and sometimes overlooked materials to challenge conventional perceptions. There’s something magical about creating illusions and moments of surprise that make people pause and question what they see.
At the heart of my work is storytelling—its power to transport us, shift our perception of reality, and spark our imagination. I’ve always been drawn to the kind of storytelling that feels almost like a spell, opening doors to new worlds. Through fantastical creatures and super-powered materials, I try to capture the whimsy and wonder of childhood—those fleeting daydreams that deserve to be brought to life.
My goal is to take the intangible and turn it into something you can hold, wear, and experience.
My journey as an artist is constantly evolving, I enjoy exploring new ideas and materials. I strive to create pieces that don’t just catch the eye but stir something deeper—something that lingers in the imagination long after the first glance.
But most of all, I love seeing people wearing my work!
MY BACKGROUND
I am a Swiss jeweller working in Geneva. I hold a MA in Jewellery from the Royal College of Art (London) a BA from the University of Art and Design (Geneva) and a diploma from Le Arti Orafe, Jewellery school (Florence).
My jewellery has been awarded different prizes, including “Le Prix d’Excellence” from The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation (Rolex) in 2006, and The Swiss Design Award in 2008.
My work is among the permanent collections of the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts - mudac, the Collection from the Swiss Confederation and the Watch Museum, Geneva.
Publications include: 500 rings,Lark Jewellery, From hand to hand, Passing on skill and know-how in European contemporary jewellery, Mudac / 5 Continents and Bijoux en jeu, Collections du mudac et de la Confédération suisse.
MY EXHIBITIONS
I have been lucky enough to have exhibited all around the world. Here is a selection:
Munich Jewellery Week Chaos & Control, Kleiberwurm, and Fertile Ground, Donner wie Blitz, Germany (2025)
Madrid Alegria (Joy) jewels, Lalabeyou gallery, Spain (2025)
London Wave of dreams, Where imagination takes flight, Gill Wing Jewellery, United Kingdom (2025)
New York Jewelry Week Dream Machine exhibition, Urban Glass, USA (2024)
Rome Frida Kahlo exhibition - I paint flowers so they will not die, Galleria Carlo Lucidi, Italy (2024)
Venice Design Week Jewelry Selection, Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo, Italy (2023)
Parcours Bijou de Paris Le Voyage Amical, galerie Kara, France (2023)
Shanghai Bijoux en Jeu, Power Station of Art, China (2018)
Design Week Mexico Vision Y Tradicion, Museo Tamayo, Mexico (2017)
Zurich Schmuck – Material Handwerk Kunst, Landesmuseum, Switzerland (2017)
Seoul High Noon, L Store, Korea
Sydney The Year Was 2006, studio2017 – contemporary jewellery and objects, Australia (2012)
Munich Talente, Germany (2008)