Sue Aygarn-Kowalski


  • AygarnKowalskiS_Box01_Heart_Open_s.jpg
  • AygarnKowalskiS_Box01_Heart_DetailA_s.jpg
  • Hammers B.jpg
  • AygarnKowalskiS_StrikingTools
  • Kowalski_HammerGroup2_Korean_sm
  • AygarnKowalskiS_CenterPunchwithHousings_SteelCopperBrassSterling_7x2x1_2002
  • Tools
  • Aygarn_Kowalski_OilCanTeapot
  • Balance Pc OV
  • Tea Pot Front VW
  • Tea Pot Side VW
  • AygarnKowalskiS_GoldLeaves_Earrings
  • AygarnKowalskiS_SilverLeaves_Earrings
  • Large Bubble Necklace
  • Kowalski_ToolGroup_sm
  • Pink Black Mallet (3)
  • Wasp 2
  • Jester 2
  • Bird 2
  • blackand white
  • Hammer One A
  • Hammer Three A hires
  • Hammer Two A
  • Jester Hammer med
  • TOOL THREE
  • TOOL ONE
  • Yellow Brown Sledg
  • AygarnKowalskiS_OBrooch_2.25x2.25x.5_2006
  • AygarnKowalskiS_PodBrooch_4x1.5x1_2006
  • AygarnKowalskiS_XBrooch_2.5x2.5x1_2006

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Spring and Fall

Dimensional, hinged keepsake box. Roller printed, dimensional sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Spring and Fall

Dimensional, hinged keepsake box. Roller printed, dimensional sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Functional Striking Tools

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, tulip wood, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


Artwork Inquire Form

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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Functional Striking Tools

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Functional Striking Tools

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


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×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Center Punch with Housing

Steel, copper, brass, sterling


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Steel Tools

Steel railroad spikes


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Oil Can Teapot

Sterling silver. Hammered, fabricated, soldered. Hand-fabricated functional pump mechanism, hand-fabricated hardware.


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Beam Balance

Copper, sterling silver


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Anvil Teapot

Copper, olive wood


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Anvil Teapot

Copper, olive wood


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Gold Leaves, Earrings

18K yellow gold


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Silver Leaves, Earrings

Sterling silver


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Large Bubble Necklace

Sterling silver


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×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammers

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Mallet

Ebony, pink ivory wood, sterling silver


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Wasp Hammer

Cocobolo, yellowheart, brass, steel


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Jester Hammer

Purpleheart, yellowheart, brass, steel


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer

Delrin, nylon, steel, sterling silver, copper


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Jester Hammer

Brass, purpleheart, yellowheart


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer

Cocobolo wood, yellowheart wood, brass, and steel


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer

Bronze, steel, purpleheart, yellowheart


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Sledge

Yellowheart, ebony, brass, sterling silver


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
O Brooch

Sterling silver


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Pod Brooch

Sterling silver


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
X Brooch

Sterling silver


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  • IMAGES:
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  • AygarnKowalskiS_Box01_Heart_Open_s.jpg
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Spring and Fall

    Dimensional, hinged keepsake box. Roller printed, dimensional sterling silver

    When closed: 2" h x 2 1/8" w x 1/2" d

    Private Collection

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_Box01_Heart_DetailA_s.jpg
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Spring and Fall

    Dimensional, hinged keepsake box. Roller printed, dimensional sterling silver

    When closed: 2" h x 2 1/8" w x 1/2" d

    Private Collection

    Inquire

  • Hammers B.jpg
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Functional Striking Tools

    Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, tulip wood, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut

    8" - 15" x 1 - 1.25"

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_StrikingTools
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Functional Striking Tools

    Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut

    8" - 15" x 1 - 1.25"

    Photo: Dean Powell
    Several of these striking tools in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

    Inquire

  • Kowalski_HammerGroup2_Korean_sm
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Functional Striking Tools

    Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut

    8" - 15" x 1 - 1.25"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_CenterPunchwithHousings_SteelCopperBrassSterling_7x2x1_2002
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Center Punch with Housing

    Steel, copper, brass, sterling

    7" x 2" x 1"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Tools
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Steel Tools

    Steel railroad spikes

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Aygarn_Kowalski_OilCanTeapot
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Oil Can Teapot

    Sterling silver. Hammered, fabricated, soldered. Hand-fabricated functional pump mechanism, hand-fabricated hardware.

    9.5" x 4.5" x 11"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Balance Pc OV
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Beam Balance

    Copper, sterling silver

    13" x 20" x 3.5"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Tea Pot Front VW
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Anvil Teapot

    Copper, olive wood

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Tea Pot Side VW
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Anvil Teapot

    Copper, olive wood

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_GoldLeaves_Earrings
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Gold Leaves, Earrings

    18K yellow gold

    Various sizes

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_SilverLeaves_Earrings
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Silver Leaves, Earrings

    Sterling silver

    Various sizes

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Large Bubble Necklace
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Large Bubble Necklace

    Sterling silver

    22" x 5" x 1"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Kowalski_ToolGroup_sm
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammers

    Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut

    Inquire

  • Pink Black Mallet (3)
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Mallet

    Ebony, pink ivory wood, sterling silver

    9.5" x 1.25", Head: 3.5"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Wasp 2
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Wasp Hammer

    Cocobolo, yellowheart, brass, steel

    14" x 1.5"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Jester 2
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Jester Hammer

    Purpleheart, yellowheart, brass, steel

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Bird 2
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammer

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • blackand white
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammer

    Delrin, nylon, steel, sterling silver, copper

    10.25" x 1", Head: 5" wide

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Hammer One A
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammer

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Hammer Three A hires
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammer

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Hammer Two A
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammer

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Jester Hammer med
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Jester Hammer

    Brass, purpleheart, yellowheart

    9.75" x 1.25", Head: 4.75"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • TOOL THREE
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammer

    Cocobolo wood, yellowheart wood, brass, and steel

    13.25" x 1.25"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • TOOL ONE
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Hammer

    Bronze, steel, purpleheart, yellowheart

    11" x 1.75", Head: 4.25"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • Yellow Brown Sledg
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Sledge

    Yellowheart, ebony, brass, sterling silver

    10" x 1.25", Head: 3.5"

    Photo: Dean Powell

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_OBrooch_2.25x2.25x.5_2006
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    O Brooch

    Sterling silver

    2.25" x 2.25" x .5"

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_PodBrooch_4x1.5x1_2006
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    Pod Brooch

    Sterling silver

    4" x 1.5" x 1"

    Inquire

  • AygarnKowalskiS_XBrooch_2.5x2.5x1_2006
    Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
    X Brooch

    Sterling silver

    2.5" x 2.5" x 1"

    Inquire


Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Spring and Fall

Dimensional, hinged keepsake box. Roller printed, dimensional sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Spring and Fall

Dimensional, hinged keepsake box. Roller printed, dimensional sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Functional Striking Tools

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, tulip wood, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Functional Striking Tools

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Functional Striking Tools

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Center Punch with Housing

Steel, copper, brass, sterling


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Steel Tools

Steel railroad spikes


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Oil Can Teapot

Sterling silver. Hammered, fabricated, soldered. Hand-fabricated functional pump mechanism, hand-fabricated hardware.


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Beam Balance

Copper, sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Anvil Teapot

Copper, olive wood


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Anvil Teapot

Copper, olive wood


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Gold Leaves, Earrings

18K yellow gold


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Silver Leaves, Earrings

Sterling silver


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Large Bubble Necklace

Sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammers

Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Mallet

Ebony, pink ivory wood, sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Wasp Hammer

Cocobolo, yellowheart, brass, steel


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Jester Hammer

Purpleheart, yellowheart, brass, steel


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


Artwork Inquire Form

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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer

Delrin, nylon, steel, sterling silver, copper


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


Artwork Inquire Form

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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer


Artwork Inquire Form

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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Jester Hammer

Brass, purpleheart, yellowheart


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×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer

Cocobolo wood, yellowheart wood, brass, and steel


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer

Bronze, steel, purpleheart, yellowheart


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Sledge

Yellowheart, ebony, brass, sterling silver


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×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
O Brooch

Sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

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Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Pod Brooch

Sterling silver


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×

Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
X Brooch

Sterling silver


Artwork Inquire Form

×

Statement

My work takes the form of functional tools for the hand in metal, wood, and plastic. They are an argument for aesthetic experience over speed and efficiency, for skill over blind use, for self-reliance over dependencies, and for an absolute love of process. Like bookends, ideas concerning the hand and the informing sense of touch act as a nurturing cradle for my work. The objects I make result from my need to live actively, physically, and tactilely in an increasingly computerized world, and I offer my work as a counterpoint to digital culture.

I believe that through the combination of hand and mind the most powerful resource in the evolution of humans emerged – the ability to fabricate and to use tools. The result was and continues to be, the ability to affect, guide, and in large degrees to control (for better or worse) the conditions that make up both our physical and social environments. As tool users, I believe we grow to be better members of society; more resourceful, more expressive, more self reliant, and more physically connected to our communities. These collective beliefs drive my artistic desire to celebrate the direct, self-informing, and tactile relationship between hand, tool, and user.

Hammer Process

My hammers are meant to be functional as well as sculptural. I fabricate them from exotic hardwoods and a variety of metals. The colors in the wood are naturally occurring, not painted or dyed. Individual components are made using a combination of lathe-work and hand-fabrication. I start by slicing, sanding, and stacking alternating pieces of different types of exotic hardwoods, aligning the grain as each piece is glued and clamped on a stainless steel center shaft, which gives strength to the hammer body. The metal components of the hammers (brass or bronze tails, necks, and heads) are screwed on to the threaded shaft using taps and dies. The wooden handles are hand-turned on a lathe at different points in the process, sometimes before metal components are added and sometimes after. I don’t use any CAD design; each hammer is made using freehand turning and multiple polishings. Sometimes the hammers are loosely based on animal forms and one hammer seems to inform the shape of the next to be made.

Selected Collections

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
  • Museum of Art and Design, New York, NY
  • Duxbury Art Complex Museum, Duxbury, MA
  • Numerous private collections throughout the United States