Olek, born Agata Oleksiak in 1978 in communist Poland, emerged from a world lacking in possibilities and eccentricities. They pursued a degree in cultural studies from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland before relocating to New York, where they rediscovered their passion for crochet. Holland Cotter’s description of their installation as “a tour-de-force” propelled Olek into the art world, leading to the creation of their unique crocheted works. Olek’s art has been showcased in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide, including the Brooklyn Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Urban Nation Museum, among others. Their work has been widely recognized in publications such as The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and Vogue Italia. Olek has received numerous accolades, including the In Situ Artaq award and grants from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and Han Nefken.
Olek’s artistic journey includes residencies at renowned institutions like Sculpture Space, Instituto Sacatar in Brazil, and the Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh. Their dynamic presence in the art world extends to prominent exhibitions such as the 49th Venice Biennale and the 9th International Istanbul Biennale. As a community-based artist and activist, Olek has shared their insights with students from institutions like Pratt, Parsons, and Syracuse Universities, and delivered a TEDx talk in Warsaw. Their work and influence have been featured in the documentary “YARN,” and they have been recognized by Christie’s and Art Net as a top artist to follow on Instagram. Currently based in Brooklyn, Olek continues to re-weave the world through street and performance art, often capturing these ephemeral moments in Virtual Reality, with a bottle of spiced Polish vodka and a hand-rolled cigarette by their side.