Olek’s Knitted Room

Finally managed to pop into Tony’s Gallery on Sclater Street to see Olek’s first UK solo show – a knitted “mixed media sculptural environment”. Remember that entry about Olek’s bike back in January? If not, there’s some background there on the artist there to catch you up.

The entire ground floor of the gallery is covered in yarn. In order to walk around in it, I had to put on some pretty blue plastic shoe covers. The title of the exhibition? “I do not expect to be a mother but I do expect to die alone”, apparently drawn on inspiration from her time living in the UK.

Here’s a few photos.

If you get a chance, head down and check it out. You still have over a month.

Tony’s Gallery is on 68 Sclater Street, just off of Brick Lane and the exhibition is running until March 23.

Knitted Bike by Olek

First glance at this wall and I saw a giant Malarky and Mr. Penfold collaboration. And then I saw the bike. It may have been there for quite some time now (I’m guessing it has), but this is the first time since I’ve been back in London that I’ve walked down this way (Sclater Street in Tower Hamlets) so I was excited to have stumbled upon it.

Here’s a closer photo of the bike, which is a piece by Olek, a Polish artist whose full name is Agata Oleksiak. She lives and works in NYC, so if you’re reading this from across the pond, keep your eyes open because she does quite a few shows. And when Olek knits, she goes all out making massive sculpture pieces covering pianos, cars, the giant bull on Wall Street and a whole host of other things that must have taken her absolutely ages. She even knitted a tent (though I doubt it’s waterproof…). Here’s a link if you’re looking for a bit more procrastination 😉

And while I’m talking about bikes, if you’re into it, the London Bike Show is on now through the weekend.

Also, if you spot any more Olek pieces around London, do tell because I’m loving it.