Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Cusson.
Kyle, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in southern Connecticut just south of New Haven. My family always had an interest and respect for the arts. When I was about 15 years old I showed an interest in glassblowing, and my mother who I think sensed I was drifting a little bit, found a glass shop in Branford, CT that did workshops. I fell in love with molten glass immediately and went back to play with glass as much as I could, I give a huge thanks to my mom for making that happen. Senior year of high school I went to a magnate art school in New Haven called ECA which I believe really helped prepare for college. I applied to Massart in Boston because of their glass program. I was fortunate to be there with a great group of students and faculty who all seemed to push each other, both technically and artistically. I graduated my BFA in 2007, followed by a class at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deerisle, ME, and a work study at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA. I was contemplating moving to the Seattle area which is a hub for glass workers, but missed the east coast and decided to move with my now wife to Providence, RI, taking a job as assistant at Jose Chardiet Studio. I worked as head assistant at Jose’s till about 2014, I started working for Tracy Glover Objects and Lighting Pawtucket, RI in 2012 as well, and am now head glassblower and production manager, all the time still making my own work. Glass is a huge part of my life, day in day out, and all aspects reflect upon each other, at this point in my career I am much better at recognizing the correlation.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My work is about form and making something visually beautiful and interesting. The majority of my sculptural work incorporates the implication of movement. My goal for these pieces is to evoke a feeling that they might dance away at any moment, that they have personality. With my stem ware I am more concerned with proportions, strength and elegance, everyone has an eye for proportions, if they’re off, it’s apparent. I feel the art I’m drawn to, and my own work should intrigue the viewer to ask questions but not need an explanation of intent.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I think the biggest challenges are promotion, time and expenses. It seems to me that the whole gallery system has really changed, and a new very different collector base is brewing. Things move at a very fast pace these days and for up and coming artists things like cheap studio space, cost of living, cost of materials, and the willingness to take a chance on supporting a young artist is becoming a rare commodity.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
At the moment after moving and setting up a new shop and raising a young family, I am not showing much, but can always be contacted at kylecusson@hotmail.com, on Instagram @kylecusson
Contact Info:
- Email: kylecusson@hotmail.com
- Instagram: @kylecusson
Image Credit:
Marty Doyle
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