Zezelia Olson

Zezelia Olson’s creative practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of the simplicity of complexity.

Olson crafts intricate drawings that serve as meditations on the sojourn of life. In particular, she is fascinated by how a single day can serve as both a singular, seemingly simple experience, and a building block that shapes our existence over time.

Each of Olson’s pieces begins with a single line. From this point of origin, the drawing takes shape, not by a preconceived plan but by the subtle interplay between her hand, mood, and the spontaneous choices she makes as she works.

This process mirrors the nature of life itself, which begins with a single day and unfolds through the interwoven influences of biology, external forces, and the unpredictable decisions we make along the way. Just as a single line by itself holds little meaning, so too does a single day—yet together, both hold the potential to create something far greater than the sum of their parts.

Olson’s work serves as a reflection of the human experience: unpredictable, full of chance, yet somehow imbued with meaning and interconnectedness. She explores how we find meaning not just in the milestones or grand moments, but in the quieter, more subtle decisions and occurrences that shape our existence.

Olson’s drawings are an invitation to reflect on the patterns we live and to recognize the quiet beauty in moments that come together to create something far more profound than we might first see.