Bic Tieu
Bic Tieu is a…
Designer, Maker, Researcher and Educator.
Bic’s works draws on traditional and contemporary crafts methods and technology, inspired by Asian sensibilities to communicate narratives based on personal cross-cultural concepts. With strengths in metal technologies and specialisation in Vietnamese and Japanese lacquer. Her practice often utilises a synthesis of these materials and cultural narratives using design strategies to create new perspectives on contemporary object making and meanings. Recent projects have used geographical mapping and graphic language to construct explorations of cultural identity, transnationalism in the form of architecturally described objects and wearables designated between the hand and body.
Bic began her design and jewellery education at the University of NSW Art and Design, where she completed both a Bachelor Design (2003) and a Master of Design (honours) (2007) degrees. Her practice further developed through professional training at the world-famous Japanese Kitamura Koubou (lacquer studio 2009-2011), more recently Hikoju Maki-e and Japanese contemporary metal master Toru Kaneko (2018). Bic also has a PhD from the Australian National University (2022) with the Jewellery and Object, School of Art & Design.
Bic continues to work on exhibition projects and gives talks and workshops at various local and international conferences, cultural institutions and education. She has conducted studio Masterclass and workshop, completed various local and international residency programs and received awards and grants. These include; the National Association of Visual Arts, Asialink, The Ian Potter Cultural Trust, The Australia Council for the Arts, The Australian Design Centre, The University of NSW-COFA (former name) and The Australian National University.
Bic also teaches at UNSW Art & Design where the culmination of her practice and skills are passed onto students. She has also worked as a committee member acting as the Newsletter Curator for the Jewellers and Metalsmith Group of Australia (JMGA-NSW).