Through her body of work, Agata Oleksiak alias Olek has always sought to bring colour and life, energy and surprise to the living space. Born in 1978 in Poland, she received a BA in Cultural Studies from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan in 2000 and relocated to New York City. With the old-fashioned technique of crocheting, Olek has taken the ephemeral medium of yarn to express everyday occurrences and inspiration. “I think crochet, the way I create it, is a metaphor for the complexity and interconnectedness of our body and its systems and psychology,” she explains. The artist’s bursts of bright colours often mask political and cultural critiques. Olek’s art examines sexuality, feminist ideas and the evolution of communication. The yarn artist consistently pushes the boundaries of fashion, art, crafts and public art, fluidly combining the sculptural and the fanciful. Her works include sculptures, installations such as crocheted bicycles, inflatables, performance pieces and fibre art. She has covered buildings, sculptures, people and an apartment with crochet. Her work has been exhibited in galleries, museums and public spaces worldwide, including at the Art Basel in Miami or the Brooklyn Museum in New York and has been featured in numerous publications such as The New York Times, TIME Magazine and Vogue Italia. Olek regularly partners with private associations and businesses to give back to the community and supports non-profit organisations with her artwork. She currently lives and works in Brooklyn.