Olga Macz aRtblog: Agata Olek "I do not expect to be a mother but I do expect to die alone", Tony's Gallery, London

Agata Oleksiak, known as Olek, was born in 1978 in Ruda Slaska, in Poland. She subsequently studied cultural studies at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland. Currently she lives and works in New York. Olek is known for covering different objects, indoors and on the streets, with colorful crocheted yarn. Her art makes streets more engaging and joyful, for example in December 2010 she covered with crochet Wall Street Bull in New York. Olek exhibited worldwide in countries such as USA, Brazil, Poland, Germany, Turkey, Italy etc.

On the 26^th of January 2012 Tony’s Gallery presented a preview of the first Olek’s exhibition in the UK entitled ‘I do not expect to be a mother but I do expect to die alone.’ For the purposes of the exhibition the gallery’s top floor has been completely covered with crochet. The space is also filled with different kinds of furniture, items and even participating performer- all covered with crochet.

Artist said that she finds her inspiration in thing like films, home in Poland and her text messages. The source of inspiration for the London exhibition was also the city itself. Olek said that she found some of the furniture featured in the exhibition on the streets and sidewalks in London.

It is difficult to say what is more impressive- Olek’s original idea for the form of expression itself or the laborious work and effort that she has to put into crocheting. On the face, colourful, joyful and in a way crazy exhibition room covered in crochet, when looked at more closely, reveals boundaries between reality and fiction and artist's private life. It looks like a beautiful metaphor of the reality, which adds more colour and inspiration into everyday life. It is a great that Olek now has a chance to share her fantastic idea and work with the viewers in the United Kingdom.