Arman Suciyan

Arman Suciyan: Sculptural Silver and Bronze Jewelry From Istanbul

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Arman Suciyan’s artistic journey began humbly as an apprenticeship in a goldsmith workshop at the age of fifteen. This formative experience instilled within him a profound understanding of traditional craftsmanship alongside a keen eye for architectural precision – principles that would become cornerstones of his distinctive style. He was born in 1972, and grew up in Istanbul, Turkey. He first began his career as a goldsmith apprentice in a workshop, in the covered Bazaar at age 15. His training under Misak Toros, fourth generation of a Turkish Armenian family with a rich heritage in jewelry design and production, exposed him to the enduring traditions of fine jewelry making. Specifically, Arman perfected the art of wax carving and modelling, which he had begun exploring as an apprentice in the Bazaar. He was introduced to traditional skills of fine jewelry making, as well as to a strong architectural approach, and a sense of rigor from design to completion. Misak Toros instilled in him a deep appreciation for meticulous detail and structural integrity – elements that would permeate his artistic vision throughout his career. Recognizing his talent and ambition, Arman pursued studies at Kent Institute of Art & Design, where he honed his skills in wax carving and modelling – techniques that would become central to his artistic process. He attended the prestigious Kent Institute of Art & Design, where he started to work for Stephen Webster as a part of his specialist craftsmen. During his time there, Arman gained invaluable experience collaborating with Stephen Webster on ambitious projects, establishing himself as a respected figure within Webster’s workshop and absorbing the ethos of innovation and boldness that characterized Webster's creative endeavors. In 1994, after years at bench, he went on to attend Kent Institute of Art & Design. He started to work for British Jeweler Stephen Webster. Upon graduating, he joined his small team of specialist craftsmen, as a fulltime goldsmith and wax modeler. After ten years working amongst Stephen Webster's team, he became one of Stephen’s greatest resources in modelling some of his most elaborate figurative pieces. Arman’s collaborative spirit extended beyond Webster’s workshop; he embraced opportunities to explore diverse artistic landscapes, spending time in Milan before returning to Istanbul in 2008 to dedicate himself fully to his craft. Since 2004, Arman has been elaborating his own designs. After a few years spent in Milan, Arman returned to Istanbul in 2008, to fully dedicate himself on building his own brand: Suciyan. His collections are bold ,working mostly with silver, in combination with bronze and gold, his heart and expertise lies in carving and modelling, rendering pieces that are sculptural in nature. He has received various awards by the Goldsmiths Craft Council, as well as the prestigious DeBeers Jewelry Design Award. Arman’s jewelry transcends mere adornment; it embodies a fusion of Victorian elegance and fantas