Byron August Wilson


Byron Wilson was a mid-century American artist and educator, known for his jewelry design.

Life

Byron August Wilson was born in Alameda, California. Although self-taught, Wilson was known for his jewelry design and art during the California studio jewelry movement in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
In 1956, the California College of Arts and Crafts hired him to teach in the metal arts department, where he worked for 26 years. With help from students, he created the CCACs first metal foundry. During this period, he also worked as a claims inspector for Southern Pacific Railroad.
Wilson was a founding member of the Metal Arts Guild of San Francisco. Margaret De Patta, another of the founding members, had an influence on his work. Wilson's art incorporated geometric shapes formed from materials such as ebony wood and ivory. He also made use of unconventional casting methods to create his metal pieces.
In 1981, Byron Wilson filed a patent for an improved type of flap sander. The tool consisted of a slotted cylinder and cover plate which held replaceable strips of sandpaper.
Byron Wilson died in 1992.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has an extensive collection of Byron Wilson's pieces.
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has one example of Wilson's work in their collection.

Honors and awards