Metalsmith
Artist Statement
I work in the medium of traditional metalsmithing. I make jewelry through the processes of construction and fabrication, lost wax casting, stone setting, forging, forming, enameling, and digital fabrication.
I make jewelry that is sharp, heavy, and patinaed with nonprecious metals. The work looks old and corroded, incorporating rough, bumpy, abrasive, and coarse textures. It is also colorful in some cases due to the application of patina or enamel.  
In contrast, I also work in the realm of fine jewelry, which focuses on meticulous detail, polished surfaces and lustrous texture. Both aesthetics allow for a unique juxtaposition of processes and materials. 
Looking Inward is a series of neckpieces that explore depression, mania, and anxiety through images of human form etched and cut into copper. These pendants utilize enameling, patina, and the methodical process of chain making to create images depicting different emotional states. 
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Artist Biography
Originating from Chicago, Owen Mollsen is currently a Milwaukee-based metalsmith. Mollsen has been perfecting his skills in both construction by hand and digital fabrication for the last five years at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee through the Peck School of the Arts Program.
Mollsen has utilized his experiences as a jewelry and metalsmithing classroom assistant, studio technician, and intern for both Kessler’s Diamonds and Forever Companies to cultivate a diverse set of skills in his work.
Mollsen’s work has been accepted into several juried exhibitions and galleries. He was also recognized as the third-place winner in the prestigious Kessler’s Sparkle Scholarship competition.
Mollsen has most recently finished Looking Inward, a series of neckpieces that explore depression, mania, and anxiety through images of human form etched and cut into copper. These pendants utilize enameling, patina, and the methodical process of chain making to create images depicting different emotional states. 
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CV
Education
BFA Studio Art, concentration: Jewelry and Metalsmithing, certificate: Digital Fabrication and Design, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Scheduled Graduation Fall 2021
Related Experience
Student Technician, Jewelry & Metalsmithing Area, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, January 2020 – December 2020
Teaching/Research Assistantships
Classroom Assistant, Introduction to Jewelry & Metalsmithing with Eric Meier, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, Spring 2020
Classroom Assistant, Construction and Fabrication with Erica Meier, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, Fall 2020
Internships
Intern, Kessler’s Diamonds, Germantown, WI, Spring 2020
Intern, Forever Companies, Franklin, WI, Summer 2021
References
Mike Walko, Goldsmith, Forever Companies,
Mikewalker414@gmail.com, (414)-640-8789
Gwen Sobon, Goldsmith, Forever Companies,
Gwen.Sobon@Forevercompanies.com
Yevgeniya Kaganovich, Professor and Head, Jewelry & Metalsmithing and Digital Fabrication, UWM, yk@uwm.edu, 414-364-5901
Skills
-Welding, Brazing, High Temperature Soldering, Stone Setting, Enameling, Casting, Cold Connections, Polishing, Etching, Patinas, Powder Coating, Blacksmithing, Forming, Plating
-3D Printing, CNC Routing, Vinyl Cutting, 3D Scanning, Laser Cutting
Exhibitions and Artist Talks
-BA/BFA Exhibition, Kenilworth Square East Gallery, Kenilworth Square East, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2021
-Makers!21 Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Online, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2021
-48th Annual Juried Show, Online, Union Art Gallery, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2021
-Pecha Kucha Artist Talk, Online, Jewelry & Metalsmithing Area, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2020
-Internship Talk, Jewelry & Metalsmithing Area, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2020
-Artist Talk, Construction and Fabrication, Jewelry & Metalsmithing Area, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2020
-Contemporary Craft Exhibition and Sale, Kenilworth Square East Gallery, Kenilworth Square East, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2020
-Sculpture + Metals + Digital Fabrication Student Exhibition, 3rd Floor Gallery, Kenilworth Square East, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2019
-Contemporary Craft Exhibition and Sale, INOVA Gallery, Kenilworth Square East, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2019
-Sparkle Scholarship Exhibition, Kessler’s Diamonds, Milwaukee, WI, 2019
-Sparkle Scholarship Exhibition, Kessler’s Diamonds, Milwaukee, WI, 2018
-Contemporary Craft Exhibition and Sale, INOVA Gallery, Kenilworth Square East, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2018
-Radical Jewelry Makeover, Union Art Gallery, UWM, Milwaukee, WI, 2018
Awards and Honors
-Dean’s Honors List, UWM, 2019
-National Society of Academic Excellence, UWM, 2019
-Kessler’s Sparkle Scholarship, Third Place Winner, $300
Memberships
Member, Object – Jewelry & Metalsmithing Student Organization, UWM