Ursula Stuart
She/Her
Seattle, WA
Ursula Stuart is a mother, artist and musician living in Seattle Washington. She uses as much recycled materials as possible. She is anti authoritarian and believe in freedom for all and that love is sacred in whatever form it takes. She began working in metals in 2018 and received a jewelry design certificate and Associate of fine art from North Seattle College in 2021. She will be graduating with a Bachelors degree majoring in sculpture form University of Washington in June 2026. Craft brings peace to individuals, builds community and it feeds the soul.
I had to make a piece in response to the atrocities inflicted by ICE. I gathered recycled materials including a steel barrel ring, found and altered aluminium letters, glass that was destined for the dump from a glass studio. I created a sign that is meant to be hung in a bar and there are plans to do so soon! Love is queen, it is powerful and important and I like to put it in my mouth and show it to the word. Gagging is hot, some think its not. You can even her Moon Unit Zappa exclaim "gag me with a spoon" in disgust in the song Valley Girl. Whatever that case gagging should always be consensual, I made this gag necklace from a reclaimed brass gas levers that I cut up and put back together. It was not until my early 40s that I discovered I liked gagging, and how intimate and special it can be with someone you love.
How does your creative practice reflect your experience of living and making as a BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ maker?
“It is my survival. It is how I choose to live in this world. It is resistance, it brings me peace and has led to opportunities. I have made incredible friendships, It gives me purpose and deep satisfaction to recycle, reuse and reimagine. I feel like my practice also gives me a sense of independence and is a form of meditation. I am always growing and revolving but deep down I am a metal mama. I don't fit in many places but in a studio space working alone or with other artists I am at home. I share what I feel and what I know. I happen to be queer and BIPOC it comes out in my work because it is my lived experience.”
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"Fuck Ice See the Light" Recycled glass, steel, aluminium, steel cable, brass, and led lights." 18"x18"x2.5"What techniques, stories, or materials have been passed down to you, and how are you reimagining them in the present?
"LOVE is In My Mouth" recycled sterling silver 1"x.25"x.25"“Hammering. I leaned to hammer texture into metal and how to forge it. It changes the shape of things along with cutting and soldering back together. I like words in jewelry. I have always been resourceful and learning how to make art from scrap, garbage and waste creates a story, of the past and what the thing was and the new life I am giving it.”
"GAG necklace, a reminder" recycled brass, bronze jumping and second hand sterling chain" .5"x.25"x.25"
How does your work honor those who came before you while forging new pathways for the future?
“Using the techniques I have learned from all of my teachers as well as honoring my ancestors in Peru who were amazing metal workers. I am forging pathways to the future by creating new work that is inspired by those who came before me, but making it uniquely my own.”
Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, research, etc.
“sourcing materials is a huge part of my process, it is time consuming but fulfilling to use recycled materials. I welcome the challenge and realize that this work is slow and that is ok. I embrace what I am doing and feel that it is important to know where materials come from and to be ethical in sourcing as much as possible. There is an alchemy in turning trash to treasure and art.”
Photographs Courtesy of the Artist