Art Exhibit: “Waste Not” by Erik Jon Olson

Waste Not showcases the work of Erik Jon Olson (American, b. 1959), an artist renowned for transforming plastic waste and discarded remnants of the manufacturing process into captivating quilted installations. Olson’s practice merges environmental advocacy with contemporary art, elevating materials often deemed worthless into striking visual statements. He uses nothing new to make his art. Assembled from colorful plastic waste, his work challenges viewers to reconsider their relationship with consumerism, sustainability, and the legacy of mass production. Through intricate layering and bold use of texture, Olson reimagines discarded objects, demonstrating the potential for beauty in the most unexpected places. Olson strives to minimize his carbon footprint in the creation of his pieces, elevating the medium without denying its true nature. By interlacing environmental issues with social justice messaging, his art emphasizes our alienation from the environment and each other, our willingness to waste, and our subsequent need for healing.

On view May 3, 2025 to August 24, 2025