Guest Artist for April 2026

Eric Kutschker

Artist Biography

Eric Kutschker was born and raised in northern BC, with roots in the Swabian settlement of Tom’s

Lake, on Treaty 8 territory. After graduating from high school, Eric began working as Assistant

Driller in the Geotechnical department of CN Rail. Upon completion of his Welding Ticket at NAIT,

he took on the job of Carman at CN Rail, utilizing and honing his welding skills.

Eric received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge in 1994. Studying under

notable Canadian artists such as Jeffrey Spalding and Janet Cardiff, he developed his style of

assemblage using found metal objects, tools and farm equipment. During that time he also worked

as Studio Technician, supporting students in operating electrical equipment and tools. Upon

graduation, he and his partner worked at a screenprinting business, built their own studios, and

continued to find ways to create using existing and repurposed materials.

Eric began collecting used bike parts when invited to create a sculpture for the exhibition “The

Bicycle as an Agent of Social Change” at Salmon Arm Art Gallery in 2011. The next year, a new

grocery store in Salmon Arm was in need of bike racks, and Eric proposed sculptures made from

bike parts. Working many hours taking apart old bike frames and scavenging parts from friends

and bike repair shops, Eric then welded brake rotors, seat frames, chain rings, fenders, sprockets,

pedals, forks, handlebars and kickstands onto old steel bike frames. The “revival racks” were

installed at the Askews Uptown in Salmon Arm in April of 2013, and inspired Eric’s current arts

practice of combining bicycle culture and repurposed metal. Eric has been commissioned twice by

the City of Salmon Arm for public sculptures, and has created revival bike racks for community

groups and municipalities in BC and Alberta.

Artist Statement

Forged many years ago, each metal object in Eric’s sculptures were made to fulfill a specific role.

Now, they have a history and have seen the end of their initial purpose. Diverting used and worn

out tools, parts and equipment from the landfill is an important focus to Eric’s work. His current

garden series is meant to support the growth of small urban efforts toward food security and

highlight the role that pedal-power can bring to our neighbourhoods.