Hidden Figures: Sculpture Technician

FORGING A PASSION

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TATIANA ROQUE

Meet the shop technician at the CSULB sculpture department, a student who creates jewelry alongside her visual art.

Dounya Mouzoon, 28, spends most of her nights in the studio of the sculpture department at Cal State Long Beach, doing all sorts of things. At any given time, she could be working with jewelry, sculpting a figure or helping out students who come in. As the shop technician, she assists students and makes sure the studio is kept clean. She gave us this account of how she discovered her love for metals and sculpture and what she does in a typical day.

Interest in Jewelry

"My interest started when I was a senior in high school. I took a jewelry class with some friends and none of them took it seriously, since it was just for fun, but I discovered I had dexterity and I fell in love with it. I became extremely passionate and curious to discover more; I like working with the materials. And I enjoy manipulating metal to fabricate my visions and designs into something tangible."

Choosing to Become a Sculpture Major

"I came to CSULB with a background in metals. I’ve kept custom jewelry fabrication as a hobby since my senior year in high school, and it became such a passion that I ended up as a bench jeweler through Signet Jewelers, working full-time while working on my own craft. "Given my experience, I was certain I was going to join the metals program here at CSULB. But after experiencing a few sculpture classes with professors who were so informative and awe-inspiring, I couldn’t help but allow myself to be lured in. I realized that sculpture meant I could fabricate anything, that I could still keep my passion but allow myself room to learn about different materials and to explore myself conceptually."

Becoming a Technician

"I work as a shop technician in the studio of the sculpture department. I never really applied for the position, but my professors noticed my passion for art and my work ethic, so they offered me the job, and I’ve been so thankful ever since. "I make sure students are working safely and efficiently, unlock equipment for students and occasionally help them with their projects, and I clean and make sure everything is put away neatly. I love this job!"

Acquired Skills

"I spend a lot of time working intuitively. Once I have a vision, I’ll draw some sketches to flesh out the processes and nuances, but I mainly like to jump right in and allow my experience with the material to unfold itself into something meaningful and personal. "I have bench jewelry skills, such as soldering, forging, wax carving, stone setting and casting. I also have skills with welding and using various metal and woodworking equipment. "I hope to keep honing my skill set and to use my skills to create art that is meaningful and pithy."