Today we’d like to introduce you to Jojo Solo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jojo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always been a maker. Growing up, my family did not have much so we would get creative in finding ways to entertain ourselves. My dad and I would make things like oatmeal carton trains or I would get together with my friends to make tiny homes for the local snails, moths, and rollie pollies. That kind of wonder and interest in the natural world and scavenging found objects to be repurposed is still active in my artwork and jewelry practices today.
In high school, my found object projects shifted into the jewelry realm. Knowing that I wanted to make wearables, I originally studied fashion design. But my “aha moment” happened in community college after my fashion illustration class when one of my classmates, who pointed out that I always made my own jewelry, mentioned to me that I might be interested in taking a jewelry class that was offered on campus. Off I went to the other side of campus to find my true passion: metal.
After taking all of the jewelry courses offered at my community college, I decided to follow in the footsteps of my professor Larry Jones and transfer to get my BFA in Metals and Jewelry at California State University Long Beach. My time there allowed me to rediscover myself creatively and express myself through multiple mediums and make connections with amazing artists. After graduating with my BFA, I began focusing on how to manage my craft from my home studio and am still actively learning new jewelry techniques wherever I can. I consider myself a student for life as I grow as an artist and continue to supplement my practice forging a path for new quality works.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road to get where I am today, but those struggles have built character and I am thankful for that. Having tenacity through the hard times is the only way I have survived. Like many people in America, it is painfully difficult to get a college education because of the sheer cost. My path changed many times; first I could not afford out of state tuition even though I got into my dream college in NY right out of high school. Then my path changed again when I found myself without a home after my 18th birthday. There were many times that I broke down under the pressure. But you don’t know what you are capable of handling until you’re put into that position.
My boyfriend and I became homeless almost immediately after high school but we were lucky enough to have friends to take us in. I worked crazy hours from 3am to 11am with frequent overtime at a bakery then went to school in the afternoons/evenings. It was hell. I lived in a state of exhaustion and survived off of canned beans and tortillas with the occasional cookie leftover from my job at the bakery. Suffice to say, I had lots of mental breakdowns just trying to make ends meet. My boyfriend, friends, and their families have been constant sources of love and support and I am so lucky to have had them with me during those dark times. Making jewelry and going to school for art were the only sources of joy that kept me somewhat sane during that time. Having a solid foundation in friendships when family wasn’t there and the gratification I found in my education is what saved me in the end and has provided amazing opportunities in the field of art and jewelry.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Specializing in metalsmithing, I make one-of-a-kind jewelry and 3D artwork that focuses on the wonder and love for the natural world. Many of my pieces appeal to those who are fond of oddities and the macabre. My work is sometimes compared to something found in a cabinet of curiosities. I tend to think of my work as reliquaries, where I honor animals, the earth, a memory, or even a moment. Going back to my joy of collecting found objects and my wonder of nature, I frequently build around a found object such as a rock, stick, or dead insect. I also make jewelry that tries to capture an expressive moment or feeling. I want to cherish those moments and the lives of the found objects through my jewelry and make personal connections with the wearers. Additionally, my work is gender-less and purposefully rides the line of androgyny so that the pieces can be worn by anyone.
Although metals will always be my one true love and I plan to master it in every way, I never limit myself to staying in one material and experiment with what I have available. Scale is something I like to play with, as well. I have had rings and necklaces shown in galleries to a 6 foot sculpture in steel, wood, and concrete displayed at the Long Beach Airport. However, I am limited to keep my work small at the moment due to my small studio space, so you will find that I am putting out more jewelry than sculptures. But I hope that changes in the future to allow for large scale sculptures again.
At the end of the day, I am most proud of being able to make something that can resonate with someone even if I have never met them before. It’s a good feeling to be able to make those meaningful connections with people through an object.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far is probably my 2018 Senior Exhibition Reap at California State University Long Beach. It was an opportunity to tell a story about the industrialization of life and the relationship of our choices with the environment. The theme of the exhibit was that life is too short to treat our planet, the animals, and ourselves so badly and the ramifications of reaping what we sow. Through that exhibition, I met so many people who believed in that same message, and I hope that I made an impact on others to think about what their choices mean. It was amazing to bring together my jewelry and sculpture into one space to start a conversation.
I am also very proud to say that after a year of mustering up the courage, I am launching my website to make my works available for purchase on July 1st, 2020. Even though I have been quite scared of failing, launching my website is the natural next step in my career.
Pricing:
- Online shop prices around $25-$200
- Custom designed pieces around $100-$900 depending on complexity and materials
Contact Info:
- Website: jojosolo.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jojosoloart/
Image Credit:
Hiram Borges
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