No Time to Waste | Erik Jon Olson

His work reminds us of two urgent truths. One, we are quickly running out of time to effectively hinder climate change or to mitigate its effects. Two, because of the plethora of plastic waste currently in our environment, we now live in a time in which we can no longer afford to discard any more. This exhibition asks viewers to consider their role in these complex issues and what actions they can take towards a solution.

Erik Jon Olson grew up on a hog farm in northwest Iowa, where he discovered his talent for resourceful creativity. With a degree in advertising design from Iowa State University, he embarked on a 25-year career as a creative in the advertising industry in Minneapolis. Alongside his professional work, he explored various mixed-media approaches to artistic expression.

After retiring, Olson lent his expertise to a friend’s business that repurposed single-use plastic waste into functional items. He embraced a challenge to utilize his design skills to create art from the discarded remnants of the manufacturing process. Using quilted plastic waste as his medium, he demonstrated its viability, earning recognition through numerous awards, local and national exhibitions, and sales.

Olson currently resides in Plymouth, Minnesota, where he operates from his home studio. There, he crafts large-scale artworks that merge his creative abilities with his commitment to sustainability, all through the transformation of plastic waste.

Gallery Hours:
Daily 9 am- 5 pm. Free to the public.

Image: Erik Jon Olson, SLICK!, quilted plastic waste, 45"x 40", 2022