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In PHOTOS: The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
A dull locomotive has turned into a colourful street-side attraction in Lodz, Polond.
A knitted rickshaw had New Yorkers going gaga over it in July this year.
In the winter of 2010, the famous Charging Bull was seen sporting a crocheted sweater.
Transforming structures that are often drab and lack colour into psychedelic creations is yarn-crazed artist Agata Oleksiak’s, popularly known as Olek, forte. Over the last decade, this Polish-born wonder has showcased her unconventional works through street art and performance art. Her style has also made its way through museums and galleries across the world.
Rediff.com takes a look at some of the best artworks of funky crocheter Olek.
‘The Liberator’ is inspired by the paintings of Belgian surrealist artist Rene Magritte. Olek’s exhibition investigates the paradoxical notion that physical limitations can create a sense of emotional freedom.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
Yarn artist Olek is seen knitting the locomotive, which is part of her latest public art project.
The trian, which will be on view in Lodz, Poland till August 19, is Olek’s largest endevour so far.
She worked on this project for two days round-the-clock with the help of four assistants.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
In December 2010, Olek, who is based in New York, knitted a giant cozy for the famous Charging Bull.
She had said it was her Christmas gift to NYC and a tribute to the sculptor of the bull, Arturo Di Modica, who placed the bull on Wall Street just before Christmas of 1989.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
Olek’s exhibit ‘The End is Far’ was displayed in a gallery in New York in March this year. The installations showed a dining room covered wall to wall, including the china, overflowing fruit bowls, wine bottles and goblets.
Through this exhibit, she examined themes of freedom, justice, feminine power and strength.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
A man with a crocheted body suit is seen riding a bicycle, also yarned by Olek, on a street in Warsaw, Poland.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
In June, this brightly-coloured sheathed bicycle was part of a exhibit ‘Absolut Open Canvas’. It showcased the work of 20 internationally known artists in New York.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
This rickshaw seen on the streets of New York was a major crowd-puller this summer. Dubbed the ‘Yarnshaw’, the vehicle toured the city providing free rides to the public.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
Olek travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil last July and created a massive alligator playground -- Crocheted Jacaréa. The installation, designed by Marcia Maria Benevento, was part of the SESC Arts Show, 2012.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
At Washington DC’s Smithsonian American Art Museum, Olek’s Knitting is for Pus**** installation features an apartment entirely covered (including its residents) in yarn crocheted with text and entrancing patterns.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
The eccentric artist also yarn bombed the National Academy of Sciences’ 12-foot memorial of Albert Einstein in pink and purple with dashes of black and teal last year.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
A crocheted Mustang is seen at Miami’s Scope Art Fair, which is popular for showcasing contemporary art from around the world.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
As a tribute to Occupy Wall Street protestors, Olek gave the famed spinning black cube in Astor Place, New York, officially titled ‘The Alamo’ a hot pink camouflage makeover in October 2011.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
Olek’s work is exhibited by Art in Odd Places, which presents visual and performance art in unexpected public spaces, in New York City in 20009.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
Crocheted excavators on display at the Katowice Street Art Festival in Poland in 2012.
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The eccentric art of 'yarn bombing'
In March, Olek transformed the Lancaster House in London into a magnificent indoor jungle, including a knitted rainforest.
‘The Elephant Family’ was an initiative aimed to protect Asian elephants and their habitat.
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