Louis Kutyla is an award winning jeweler, currently living in Dubai. After multiple residencies at SilverWorks, he studied metalsmithing at Tyler School of Art & Architecture in Philadelphia and stone setting in Milan, Louis is now running a jewelry studio in Dubai. He oversees design and technology for this international jewelry brand.
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
2017
Continuing his Exnihilo Artist residency at SilverWorks, Louis continued to expand the boundaries of smithing exploring more techniques and creating more concept works like “Freeze”, and “The Pill”. “ Freeze” was awarded the prestigious National Scholastic Art Award Gold Medal, 2018.
Louis’s Statement about Freeze:
The piece was made in reaction to the 2015 shooting by police of Walter Scott, an unarmed black man. It consists of two main parts a collar that closes around the wearer’s neck and a wire matrix which suspends 5 porcelain discs on the wearer’s torso. The discs have been shot through from the back leaving exit wounds in the front. These discs can be moved around the wearer’s body to map the exit wounds on Walter Scott.
I recognize that some people might say it's not my place as a white teenager to make a piece in reaction to the shooting of a black man by police. There is a valid criticism to be made that I lack a certain perspective and that I am speaking for a group I am not part of. I was challenged by these arguments as I made this piece and, quite honestly I continue to struggle with the implications of putting this piece out there publicly.
I also think it’s important to speak when you see injustice anywhere. I hope that at the very least this piece contributes to the very difficult conversations currently going on in our country about race and gun violence.
2016
Age 15, born in Massachusetts but has lived most of his young life in the DC area, Louis comes from a creative family. Attracted to art, he decided upon a silversmithing class. It was clear after the fifth class that he had a gift with the torch. His main focus for his residency was fabrication and exploration of different techniques. He completed 20 pieces during his Exnihilo residency at SilverWorks.
After breaking my leg this past fall, the boredom of crutches got the best of me. I began searching for something to do and ended up taking introductory classes at SilverWorks. Who knew that breaking my leg would help me discover my passion for silversmithing? In the months that have followed, I have created the jewelry collection that you see as part of this show.
The body of work in this show represents an experimental phase that marks the beginning of my journey as a silversmith. These pieces explore an array of techniques from casting to forging to piercing to hollow form construction. Many of the pieces draw inspiration from natural forms, which are often combined with contrasting architectural lines and angles. This, I believe, is a reflection of my city upbringing and my love of nature.
Resident Updates
Award ceremony at Carnegie Hall
Louis Kutyla won his region (gold key) and then went on to nationals and won the gold medal with his piece called Freeze.
