Sue Aygarn-Kowalski

IMAGES:
/

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
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
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
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
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
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Center Punch with Housing
Steel, copper, brass, sterling
7" x 2" x 1"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Steel Tools
Steel railroad spikes
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
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
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Beam Balance
Copper, sterling silver
13" x 20" x 3.5"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Anvil Teapot
Copper, olive wood
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Anvil Teapot
Copper, olive wood
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Gold Leaves, Earrings
18K yellow gold
Various sizes
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Silver Leaves, Earrings
Sterling silver
Various sizes
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Large Bubble Necklace
Sterling silver
22" x 5" x 1"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammers
Ebony, delrin, purple heart, steel, sterling silver, copper, bronze, yellowheart, cocobolo, walnut
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Mallet
Ebony, pink ivory wood, sterling silver
9.5" x 1.25", Head: 3.5"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Wasp Hammer
Cocobolo, yellowheart, brass, steel
14" x 1.5"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Jester Hammer
Purpleheart, yellowheart, brass, steel
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer
Delrin, nylon, steel, sterling silver, copper
10.25" x 1", Head: 5" wide
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Jester Hammer
Brass, purpleheart, yellowheart
9.75" x 1.25", Head: 4.75"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer
Cocobolo wood, yellowheart wood, brass, and steel
13.25" x 1.25"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Hammer
Bronze, steel, purpleheart, yellowheart
11" x 1.75", Head: 4.25"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Sledge
Yellowheart, ebony, brass, sterling silver
10" x 1.25", Head: 3.5"
Photo: Dean Powell
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
O Brooch
Sterling silver
2.25" x 2.25" x .5"
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
Pod Brooch
Sterling silver
4" x 1.5" x 1"
Inquire
Sue Aygarn-Kowalski
X Brooch
Sterling silver
2.5" x 2.5" x 1"
Inquire

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