Erik Jon Olson: Waste Not
on view May 3, 2025 to August 24, 2025
Erik Jon Olson, (American b. 1959), California Dreamin' (2024), quilted plastic waste, 54” x 54”
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.
“By layering environmental issues with social justice messaging, my art emphasizes our alienation from the environment and each other, our willingness to waste, and our subsequent need for healing.”
Erik Jon Olson
Erik Jon Olson (American, b. 1959) grew up on a hog farm in northwestern 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 multimedia 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 the challenge to use his design skills to create art from the discarded remnants of that manufacturing process. Using quilted plastic waste as his medium, he demonstrates its viability, earning recognition for his work through numerous awards, local and national exhibitions, and art 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.
Upcoming Programming
Support Comes From
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum acknowledges the generous support to make this exhibition possible from our members, our corporate Friends of MMAM, the Mardag Foundation, the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, and the Morgan Family Foundation. Special thanks to our media partner, Minnesota Monthly, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.
This exhibition project is presented by MMAM, a nonprofit art museum located on the shores of the Upper Mississippi River.
Media partner
Education Support comes from
Elizabeth Callender King Foundation
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.