Crochet artist Olek has worked on a number of extreme projects as well as some great collaborations. This work is both of those things.
Olek was recently in Kerava, where she regularly updated her Instagram with the experience of the trip, and specifically the unique experience of yarnbombing a two-story house with other awesome women. She explains (as shared on This is Colossal) that the yarnbombing represents those who have had to flee their homes around the world (and across time) to evade conflict.
Before the project was in Kerava, it was in Aveta. At the time, Olek shared further on Instagram:
“We live in challenging times, a changing world filled with conflict, wars and natural disasters. But I like to think that it’s also a world filled with love.
Our pink house is about the journey, not just about the artwork itself. It’s about us coming together as a community. It’s about helping each other. In the small Swedish community of Avesta we proved that we are stronger together, that we can make anything happen together. People from all walks of life came together to make this project possible. Someone donated the house, another one fixed the electricity and Red Heart Yarns donated the materials. And of course, most importantly, many women joined us in the effort to make my dream a reality.
When I first came to Avesta to install a work of art at the Verket museum, I had originally intended to recreate a traditional home. And I did. However, when the Syrian and Ukrainian refugees who helped me install my piece started telling me the candid stories of their recent experiences and horrors of their home countries, I decided to blow up my crocheted house to illustrate the current unfortunate situation worldwide where hundred of thousands of people are displaced. After I exploded the house I wanted to create a positive ending for them as a symbol of a brighter future for all people, especially the ones who have been displaced against their own wills. Women have the ability to recreate themselves. No matter how low life might bring us, we can get back on our feet and start anew.
We can show everybody that women can build houses, women can make homes. In 2015 over 21 million people lost their homes due to war and conflicts in their native countries.
The pink house, our pink house is a symbol of a bright future filled with hope. Everybody should have a home.”
Olek’s beautiful Instagram feed is the best place to see more photos of the installations, learn more about the project and the people involved and just truly get inspired!