JAYSON OLSON
Jayson Olson (b. 1999) grew up in metropolitan Detroit and attended College for Creative Studies where he earned a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry. His practice explores his transgender identity through objects of adornment and traditional metalsmithing techniques. Olson will attend Cranbrook Academy of Art in the fall where he will earn his MFA in Metalsmithing.
jaysonkolson@gmail.com
248-303-8553
Jaysonolson.com
@jaysonkolson
Whisker Explosion, 2023 Sterling silver, cat whiskers, steel 3” x 3” x 4.5”
Basket of Toys, 2021 Sterling silver, cat hair 4.5” x 2.5” x 4”
Basket of Toys, 2021 Sterling silver, cat hair 4.5” x 2.5” x 4”
Successful Hunt, 2022 Sterling silver, cat hair, yellow sapphire, steel 3.5” x 5” x 2”
Successful Hunt, 2022 Sterling silver, cat hair, yellow sapphire, steel 3.5” x 5” x 2”
Ready to Pounce, 2023 Sterling silver, cat whiskers, steel 1.5” x 3” x 1”
Kneading, 2022 Sterling silver, cat hair, freshwater pearls 2” x 3.5” x 2”
Slight Breeze, 2022 Sterling silver, cat hair, rutilated quartz 2” x 1” x 1”
Dewclaw, 2021 Sterling silver, cat hair 1.5” x 1.5” x 2.5”
Dewclaw, 2021 Sterling silver, cat hair 1.5” x 1.5” x 2.5”
JAYSON OLSON
My thesis is an exploration of my gender identity through metalsmithing and jewelry. I am trans masculine, and I refer to this identity as a dyad containing two parts that come together as a whole. A dyadic identity has conditions, the mother needs the child to be a mother, and the child is the child because of the mother. Without each other, the dyad does not exist. My transness and masculinity cannot be separated from each other and still mean the same thing.
I have translated this concept of the dyad into jewelry made from primarily sterling silver, and cat hair/whiskers. The two materials come together into one piece, and they are never seen separate from one another. The materials contrast each other in almost every way. Silver requires hammering, sawing, filing, and fire. With cat hair and whiskers, I carefully use my fingertips to place a few strands at a time. The metal has to contain the fiber without tearing it and the fiber gives life to the form of the metal.
I view the work as an empathetic exploration where I create objects that claim my body is valuable. It has been and continues to be an act of self love and care to look within and discover me.