"Happy Face" Painting

Jakob Gold is the artistic identity of Hakob Kuyumjyan. His Armenian surname, Kuyumjyan, means “jeweler” translated into English as Gold. The name reflects his lifelong connection with craftsmanship, materials, and transformation.

Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Hakob grew up surrounded by handmade creativity. His father was a craftsman who created shoes, suits, and garments by hand. As a child, Hakob collected leftover pieces of leather, fabric, and canvas from the workshop and transformed them into collages, developing an early fascination with texture, color, and materials.

After moving to Los Angeles as a teenager, Hakob found himself surrounded by a city of constant inspiration. His early experiences in Downtown LA’s historic Jewelry District introduced him to craftsmanship, metals, and the discipline of working with materials.

Los Angeles continues to shape his artistic vision from museums and galleries to the Arts District, street art, architecture, the Pacific coastline, and the natural landscapes of Southern California.

Working across textiles, acrylics, oils, photography, and recycled materials, Jakob Gold creates layered works exploring memory, emotion, texture, and transformation. His work reflects the belief that overlooked materials can carry stories and become something meaningful.