Jeremy Olsen - An Interview

Where did your love of art begin? Who encouraged you?

My parents always used to take my brothers and I to galleries (or drag us you might say!), however seeing the best artists’ work from around the world from such a young age definitely imprinted on my brain, as my appreciation for all things ‘art’ and essentially love of it has always been part of who I am and really what makes me tick.  

Tell us a little about your inspiration, for example which other artists/artistic movement inspire you?

I’ve always loved big art. It doesn’t have to be contemporary although that’s where my heart is at this stage in my life. Giant paintings from the masters to sitting on bronze Henry Moores at Kenwood when growing up (sorry, we were young!), I’ve always loved that ‘wow’ of large pieces or installations. Small is beautiful, but big is magnificent!! If galleries had no space restrictions, or people’s homes had infinite space, I’d love to produce monster-sized pieces.

Where/how did the idea for the sculptures come about?

I used to Skate (but am far too old now and know better / plus when I fall it REALLY hurts) so spent lots of time on the South Bank and a few other skate parks too around London, where graffiti became part of my life I guess. The clothes, the US imported stickers on our boards, the chisel pens in our pockets. Every scrap of paper in my bedroom growing up had various types of graffiti font or tag on it. I guess some furniture did too, (sorry mum!). I’ve always painted in my spare time, and painted an odd looking pumpkin a few years ago for my kids at Halloween. The amount of people that commented on it when trick or treating was crazy, and that’s where this project all began.

If you could display your sculptures anywhere in the world, where would you like to see them?

I genuinely love seeing them anywhere, but it’s the reactions that are the best. When I see someone walk past my work and clearly enjoy it, smile, touch it, maybe take a photo etc, then I’m always delighted.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I never have enough spare time!! Unlike most graffiti artists, I do love to play golf. And walk my crazy dog.

When did you start producing art?

I used to work with my dad (Michael Olsen) so gained my professional experience that way, but selling my own works is a new project for me, which started at the end of 2021.

Can you provide us a little preview on ideas you might have for future works?

I’m always on the look-out for changing items from what they should look like, to what they could look like and always have ideas flying around however which one’s stick is sometimes tricky to predict. Also that would be spoiling the surprise….