etroit"
About the Artist
I am Jim Smutek, a local artist in Dearborn Hts, Michigan.
Most of my work involves automobile parts and industrial materials. I began by restoring classic autos (mostly 1960 era Mustangs) and while looking at warehouses full of polished, chromed, imported and expensive parts, I saw the beauty in these pieces outside of a crankcase and engine compartment. Soon enough, I started creating a variety of things made out of recycled car parts.
My first art pieces were sculptures made with airplane piston rings, but afterward I switched to automobile suspension as well as drive train parts. My most popular items are my clocks which are made out of flex plates. My art work has been exhibited at Pure Detroit store at the Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit, and at Henry Ford Museum store in Dearborn.