Of the myriad delights of the ocean world, nudibranchs are some of the cutest. There are approximately 3,000 known species of these animals, which are often brightly colored, soft-textured, and soft-bodied. Technically, they’re part of the mollusk family, and they shed their shells as they age, so we sometimes call them “sea slugs,” but that name doesn’t quite fit their style. However, for artist Arino Borevich of Wool BioLab, it’s these unique tiny creatures that truly shine in the vibrant felt fibers.
Ten years ago, Bolevich worked as a cook at a remote biological research station on the White Sea in northern Russia. “I was surrounded by 200 marine biologists and students living and working together on a small island,” she told Colossal. “That summer changed everything. It was there that I first learned about sea slugs – these colorful sea slugs whose shapes and patterns look like they’re from another planet.”
The Wool Biolab was born, and as a way to pass the time and explore creativity, Bolevich felt some sea hares to give as gifts to some scientists who were studying them. She started an Etsy shop and Instagram, saying she intuitively felt these little woolen specimens “wanted to be in the world.” Soon, marine biologists and divers from around the world began searching for her work, with some requesting specific species, including the scientists who first documented certain nudibranchs.
To date, Bolevich has recreated more than 40 different species, carefully reimagining real, scientifically described creatures into elaborate fiber versions. She has an ambitious dream of sculpting every one of the thousands of known nudibranch species. “Each sculpture takes six to 12 hours to make, so it can take a while,” she said.
Most recently, two dozen of Bolevich’s works were exhibited during the Xiamen International Art Festival in China as part of the festival. Ark Farm Ecological Art Exhibition. Support her work on Patreon, where she gives away a handmade nudibranch every month.
