Tennessee-based sculptor Kyle Cottier combines traditional textile and woodworking techniques in his mindful practice.
Artist: Born and grew up in Louisville, KY. In a high school magnet program, Cottier began spending a lot of time in the art annex.
Often, he was in in the darkroom developing film, or in the printmaking lab preparing silkscreens for printing. Cottier had access to nearly every medium from clay to textiles but focused on print media.
His interest in print media continued through most of his undergrad degree at the Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) until he found a deep love in woodworking his senior year. Then everything turned toward sculpture.
In 2015, he earned his BFA from the AAC and later was an artist-in-residence at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts in the Smoky Mountains from 2021-2022.
Cottier is now a third-year graduate student in sculpture at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where he has studio space.
Art & materials: Basket-like vessels made from found wood, rope and often ink, metal and paint ($500 to $5,000).
“Vessels, a fundamental form in craft, represent the intersection of utility and symbolic meaning, embodying the relationship between individuals and their environment,” said Cottier.
Favorite tools: Clamps. There are never enough clamps.
Inspirations: Many, including:
- Martin Puryear.
- Ruth Asawa.
- Kishio Suga.
- Andy Goldsworthy.
- Mary Oliver.
Recent award: International Sculpture Center’s 2024 Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Award. (Learn more about the non-profit International Sculpture Center at sculpture.org.)
Recent exhibit: Solo exhibit at Gallery 1010 in Knoxville. February 2024.
What’s next: His MFA thesis exhibition in Spring 2025 at UT Knoxville.
Website: kylecottier.com.
Get social: Instagram: @kyle_cottier
