Emma Bugg is an innovative contemporary jeweller and artist based in lutruwita/Tasmania, Australia. Her work defies traditional notions of jewellery by incorporating unconventional materials such as concrete, scientific elements, and digital technology. By embedding objects with personal and cultural significance into her jewellery, Emma creates wearable art that tells compelling stories and invites viewers to engage with deeper narratives.
From her early artistic explorations to her internationally recognized works, Emma’s career is a testament to creativity, experimentation, and an ever-evolving approach to jewellery design.
Bio/wiki Table
Category | Details |
Full Name | Emma Bugg |
Profession | Contemporary Jeweller, Artist |
Location | lutruwita/Tasmania, Australia |
Education | – Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Tasmania – Diploma of Jewellery Design, TAFE |
Artistic Focus | – Contemporary jewellery design – Experimental materials – Digital storytelling |
Signature Materials | – Concrete (used for storytelling and memory preservation) – Embedded objects (particles from significant locations) – Technology integration (NFC tags, QR codes) |
Themes in Work | – Memory & storytelling – Recontextualization of materials – The intersection of art, science, and technology |
Notable Works | 1. The “Big Mac” Brooch (Made from a McDonald’s burger, exhibited at MONA’s NAMEDROPPING exhibition until April 2025) 2. “Nuggets of Wisdom” Earrings (Incorporates NFC tags for digital storytelling) 3. “Fries with That” Necklace (Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize 2024) |
Exhibitions & Collections | – Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) – Science Gallery Melbourne – Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize (2024 Finalist) |
Major Contributions | – Redefining jewellery materials and value – Bridging traditional jewellery with digital technology – Supporting emerging artists through the State of Flux Workshop |
State of Flux Workshop | – Co-founded in 2020 (Salamanca, Tasmania) – Contemporary jewellery gallery and experimental workshop – Fosters innovation in jewellery design |
Impact on Jewellery Design | – Challenges traditional ideas of luxury and value – Introduces wearable storytelling through digital and scientific elements – Encourages new artistic directions in contemporary jewellery |
Online Presence | 🌎 Website: emmabugg.com 🛍 Shop: emmabugg.bigcartel.com 🎨 Exhibition at MONA: Museum of Old and New Art |
Early Life and Educational Background
Emma Bugg’s journey into the world of jewellery design was not a straightforward one. She initially pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania, yet found herself feeling disconnected from the traditional fine arts curriculum. Her real artistic passion was ignited through travel, during which she developed a fascination with jewellery as a tangible representation of memory and place.
While exploring different cultures, Emma collected jewellery from various locations, recognizing how small, wearable objects could encapsulate personal experiences and heritage. Inspired by this realization, she decided to pursue formal training in jewellery design.
In 2010, Emma returned to academia and enrolled in a Diploma of Jewellery Design at TAFE. This program equipped her with the technical skills necessary to translate her creative ideas into tangible pieces. It was during this time that she began experimenting with non-traditional materials, an approach that would later define her career.
Artistic Philosophy: Exploring the Relationship Between Material, Memory, and Technology
Emma Bugg’s jewellery challenges the conventional definitions of adornment. Her artistic approach centres on three key themes:
- Material Innovation – Emma uses concrete as a primary medium, a bold departure from traditional metals and gemstones. By scaling down a material commonly associated with architecture, she redefines its function in the realm of personal adornment.
- Storytelling and Memory – Her pieces are infused with elements that capture memories and locations, such as particles collected from significant sites embedded into concrete jewellery.
- Technology Integration – Emma incorporates NFC (Near Field Communication) tags, QR codes, and scientific concepts into her jewellery, transforming it into a medium for digital storytelling.
Concrete as Jeweller: Challenging Perceptions of Value

One of the most distinctive aspects of Emma’s work is her use of concrete as a jewellery material. Since 2011, she has been exploring its potential in small-scale, wearable forms. Concrete is generally perceived as a rough, industrial material associated with large architectural structures rather than fine jewellery. However, Emma recontextualizes it, demonstrating that it can be elegant, meaningful, and intimate.
Her concrete jewellery pieces often incorporate particles from specific locations—dust, earth, or other fragments from places with emotional or historical significance. These particles are embedded into the concrete, turning each piece into a portable memory capsule. This practice allows wearers to carry a physical connection to a meaningful place or moment in time.
Her work challenges traditional notions of value in jewellery. Instead of using precious stones or metals, she emphasizes concept and meaning, proving that storytelling can be more valuable than material worth.
Merging Jewellery with Digital Technology
Emma’s innovative approach extends beyond materials to interactive jewellery design. She has experimented with embedding NFC tags and QR codes into jewellery pieces.
How It Works:
- NFC tags allow wearers to tap their jewellery with a smartphone to access digital content, such as a personal story, historical context, or interactive elements.
- QR codes can link to websites, videos, or messages, making each jewellery piece a gateway to additional layers of information and engagement.
This fusion of traditional craftsmanship with digital storytelling opens new possibilities in contemporary jewellery, allowing wearers to interact with their accessories in an entirely new way.
Professional Milestones and Recognition
Emma Bugg’s work has received widespread critical acclaim, with her pieces being showcased in prestigious collections and exhibitions.
Major Achievements:
- Her jewellery is featured in the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and Science Gallery Melbourne.
- She was a finalist in the 2024 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, highlighting her talent in sculptural, wearable art.
- Co-founded the State of Flux Workshop in 2020, a space dedicated to contemporary jewellery experimentation.
Notable Works:
1. The “Big Mac” Brooch (NAMEDROPPING Exhibition at MONA, 2025)
One of Emma’s most intriguing pieces is a brooch made from a Big Mac, purchased on January 27, 2015. This piece is part of the NAMEDROPPING exhibition at MONA and will be displayed until April 2025.
The choice of a fast-food burger as a jewellery material questions ideas about ephemeral vs. permanent, value, and consumer culture. The brooch challenges audiences to consider what is truly “precious” in today’s society.
2. “Nuggets of Wisdom” Earrings
These earrings incorporate NFC tags, allowing wearers to tap them with their mobile devices to access interactive digital content. This piece exemplifies Emma’s ability to merge playfulness, technology, and conceptual depth in her jewellery.
3. “Fries with That” Necklace (Finalist, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize 2024)
This necklace, made from repurposed materials, was a finalist in the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize. The work plays on the intersection of food, culture, and adornment, drawing attention to how mundane objects can be transformed into art and commentary.
State of Flux Workshop: A Hub for Contemporary Jewellery

In September 2020, Emma co-founded the State of Flux Workshop in Salamanca, Tasmania. This contemporary jewellery gallery and workshop provides a platform for emerging and established artists to experiment with non-traditional techniques and materials.
The workshop functions as both a creative laboratory and exhibition space, encouraging collaboration and pushing boundaries in contemporary jewellery. Through workshops, exhibitions, and artist residencies, State of Flux has become a key player in the Tasmanian arts community.
The Impact of Emma Bugg’s Work

Emma Bugg’s jewellery challenges conventions and pushes the boundaries of what wearable art can be. Her contributions to the field extend beyond craftsmanship; she encourages conversations about materiality, memory, technology, and storytelling.
See Also: Reuben Sher
FAQ’s
1. Who is Emma Bugg?
Emma Bugg is a contemporary jeweller and artist from lutruwita/Tasmania, Australia. She is known for her innovative use of concrete, embedded materials, and digital technology in jewellery design.
2. What materials does Emma Bugg use in her jewellery?
Emma primarily works with concrete, embedding particles from significant locations, such as earth, dust, or objects, into her jewellery. She also integrates NFC tags and QR codes to add a digital storytelling element to her work.
3. Why does she use concrete in jewellery?
Emma uses concrete to challenge traditional notions of luxury and value in Jewellery. By using a material typically associated with construction and architecture, she redefines it as a wearable medium for storytelling and memory preservation.
4. What is the “Big Mac” brooch?
The Big Mac Brooch is a jewellery piece Emma created using a Big Mac burger purchased on January 27, 2015. It is currently displayed at the NAMEDROPPING exhibition at MONA until April 2025, questioning ideas of ephemeral vs. permanent value in consumer culture.
5. What is unique about Emma Bugg’s jewellery?
Her work stands out because it combines conceptual storytelling, unconventional materials, and digital interaction. Her jewellery often connects wearers to memories, places, and even scientific themes.
Conclusion
Emma Bugg is more than just a jeweller—she is a storyteller, innovator, and cultural commentator. Through her bold use of concrete, digital technology, and found objects, she has redefined what jewellery can be.
Her work invites us to reconsider value, memory, and materiality, demonstrating that the most meaningful jewellery is not necessarily made from precious metals, but from the stories and ideas they hold.
With her growing recognition and continuous exploration of new creative frontiers, Emma Bugg is undoubtedly a leading force in contemporary jewellery design.