Susan Hutchinson's Artist Statement:
Art Nouveau is a historical genre that has always drawn me in. My childhood in a small town rich in Arts and Crafts architecture,
my natural inclination toward heavy dark lines, my love of organic forms, made it an easy match as I was searching for my visual
voice.
Although I explored painting, pottery, woodworking, and other media, I settled finally on blacksmithing for several reasons. Steel
has a unique tensile strength that is useful for delicate, yet durable forms; it has lends itself to strong lines; and it has more
interesting tools and processes than the other crafts (at least to my way of thinking).
My niche is high-end specialty furniture and architectural accessories for the home with a modernized Art Nouveau flavor, from
kitchen hooks to stair railings and larger installations. In addition to a line of limited production items, private commissions are
welcome, and I often work with clients to solve particular issues in a room or area.
I also regularly teach blacksmithing workshops at craft centers such as Penland School of Crafts, John C. Campbell Folk School,
and Tryon Arts and Crafts Center.