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Ülle Kõuts

Ülle Kõuts (b. 1956 in Pärnu)

1980 SAIE

As a schoolgirl in Pärnu I studied simultaneously in music school and art class. The interest in art was stronger and the piano was forgotten, now I’m missing it.

My teacher and supervisor of the diploma project in SAIE was Salme Raunam. With her firm support I learned early to appreciate strong sense of style characteristic to a creator. “Style is remaining yourself,” said the famous fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. I believe in it. In jewellery I appreciate genuineness, I’m not interested in artificial and false.

I love traditional jewellery materials and characteristic colour shades of metals – the technique with beautiful and romantic name marriage of metals is my steady favourite. I feel myself rather a jewellery designer than a jewellery artist, my works are intended for specific type of wearer – independent and self-confident woman.

I work in the jewellery studio of Katariina Guild – an open studio. I am a member of the Artists’ Association, founder member of the artists’ group ON-grupp and also a member of the Jewellery Artists’ Association.- In the book “A-Gallery. Estonian art jewellery gallery for 20 years” (2014)


“In jewellery as well as in life, I’ve always appreciated individuality and a clear minimalism.

I discovered ‘Marriage of Metals’ about 25 years ago as I soldered metals into patterns in which, after polishing, they presented their many hues. So my first collection for an ON-grupp exhibition came into being. I stayed true to the technique and honed it into something of a personal handwriting. The pieces have changed in shape and improved in level of craftsmanship, but the stripes have remained. I’ve never been one for mirroring topics of the day in my work or attempting social critique. For me jewellery is an abstract art form that’s inseparable from the wearer, endowing them with self-confidence and amplifying their unique self.” – Ülle Kõuts at the A-Gallery exhibition MEMORY CARDS (2019)

Ülle Kõuts

The artist talk was conducted by jewellery artist Marita Lumi.
Filmed and edited by Liina Lõõbas.

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