We met with fiber-artist and yarn-bomber Olga O’Shea at her home/studio in Coquitlam. Originally from Poland, Olga was taught to knit and crochet at a young age and grew up making her own clothes. It is only in recent years, after an unfortunate mishap with her son’s bike, that Olga has become more creative with knitting. Inspired by recycling and reusing materials, Olga covers found objects with colorful yarn, crochet flowers, buttons and other elements such as copper wire. Dedicated to the idea of community and sharing her creativity with others, Olga has also been involved with several large-scale yarn bombing projects around the world including covering a plane in the Yukon!
We're excited to announce that Olga has graciously donated several bikes, bicycle wheels and stools to decorate our exhibit! Come join us at the Roundhouse August 13th from 6-9PM and see her colorful upcycled work in person (as well as all of the art that has been gifted to our project!). More info about our exhibit can be found here.
Our Q&A with Olga:
OS: I am very motivated by the idea of recycling. I look around and see what can be pulled out of landfills and repurposed into art. If I come across anything, like a broken bicycle, then I will take it. My work is very colorful, unplanned and eclectic. If I see something I like I create a piece and afterwards I find someone to give it to - I don’t sell it.
PG: Do you remember the first time you created something?
OS: Growing up I wasn’t really that creative with fiber. I knitted a lot of sweaters! But I became involved with yarn bombing when I lived in Vancouver and that inspired me to become more creative. I made my first covered object after we were loading our van for a trip -- my husband said my son’s bicycle was in the back and I thought he meant inside the van but it was actually behind and I ran over it! It was a way to cheer him up and I’ve just continued from there.
PG: What is your creative process?
OS: I don’t give myself a timeframe - I work on pieces whenever I am inspired, and have the time, to make them. I look at what materials I have on hand and add to the piece as I go. Once I complete something I pass it on. Letting go is a big part of my process.
PG: Do you think about the relationship between artist and viewer when creating?
OS: I usually create for myself, but I am also motivated when people who come over to visit see my work and smile.
PG: What does community mean to you as an artist?
OS: The idea of giving is really important to me so I connect with community through passing on my work for people to enjoy. I just recently dropped off a couple of bicycles at Christianne’s Lyceum in Vancouver. I’ve also contributed to yarn-bombing projects in different places around the world. I made a piece for covering the façade of the Craft and Folk Art Gallery in LA, as well as contributed to covering an entire plane in the Yukon. I taught my kids how to knit and crochet and they also made pieces for the plane!
I also feel that it is important to contribute to charity. I don’t really have very much time to physically volunteer at any place so I will knit practical things like hats and donate them to different organizations.
PG: How are you supported as an artist in Coquitlam? Are there changes or improvements you would like to see?
OS: I haven’t really reached out as an artist yet because I don’t have enough pieces for a full exhibit. I do wish that there were more opportunities to display artwork in Coquitlam. There aren’t any coffee shops or small galleries because there really isn’t a downtown where those types of places would be. I don’t think there is a lack of interested people but the infrastructure doesn’t exist here yet. I do go to Place des Arts practically every day because my children are also creative and take classes, and it is a great place but they are limited because of their size. There isn’t very much out here! I am from Europe and I miss how easy it is to access arts and culture.
PG: What interests you about Papergirl?
OS: When I came across Papergirl I just loved everything about it. Being from an Eastern communist country I was brought up by my parents to give and support others. Community was very important for survival. Now I try to volunteer as much as I can and I bring my kids with me so that I pass on that idea. It also relates to my bikes so I wrote to Michele (our project manager) and now they will be part of the exhibit!
PG: At Papergirl, we are all about the art of giving art. What is the greatest gift you have ever received?
OS: My family and my friends. They are so supportive of my work. My husband brings me lots of things from his work that would otherwise be in the garbage. He just brought me 10 stools that were going to be thrown away even though they’re perfectly fine! All of my friends know what I do as well so they give me things. I’ve actually never bought any yarn, it’s all been given to me!
PG: To finish, a fun question: what kind of bike would you be?
OS: I would be a Vespa! If I have to actually be a bicycle I would be a vintage cruiser with a basket.