Lena Wolek

My art investigates the range of ideological, social, economic and political fundamentals of rapid contemporary global development. Having grown up in a small town in Siberia where folk customs are still the norm, and then adapting to cosmopolitan Los Angeles, I observe and analyze the recent and rapid changes in both societies. This allows me the unique ability to integrate observations of value and loss in both social contexts in order to critique the comparative mentality and cultural attitudes between the two with the aim of gaining greater global understanding. These conceptual formulations are visually translated and expressed through drawings, ceramics, sculptures, videos, and installations. In addition to contemporary formal aesthetics the work incorporates old craft techniques such as sewing, weaving, and pottery that have been utilized out of necessity for centuries by common folk for simple livelihood. Discarded postconsumer materials employed in my work are reflecting fascination with the immediacy of contemporary consumer culture with its aspects of production, consumption and then waste. Addressing the contemporary topic of basic recycling of items formerly thought of as trash is a reminder of the forgotten practice of repurposing items out of necessity. This purposeful artistic action ultimately turns rather grim waste materials into a playful and redeeming process of continued transformation and wonder.

Born in Siberia, Russia

Education UCLA School of Arts and Architecture, BA, 2012

Awards/Residency

2014 Artist in residency at Mount St. Mary College, Los Angeles, CA

2013 Feed Us Fund US Art Grant

2011 Steward and Linda Resnick Scholarship

2009 Stiefel & Dockweiller Foundation Scholarship

Solo and Two-person Exhibitions

2014 Dancing and Dueling: Lena and Joe Wolek, SAC Gallery, Santa Ana, CA

2014 Lena Wolek: A-Wearness, Jose Drudis-Biada Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

2009 Santa Monica College Theater, Santa Monica, CA

Group Exhibitions

2015 Texas National 2015, Cole Art Center, Nacogdoches, TX

‎['''''''shelf''''''''life'''''''] 1748 West Adams, Los Angeles, CA

Boiling Process 2: LA X TJ, Jaus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

MAS Attack, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA

2014 Cats-in-Residency, 356 S. Mission Rd Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

MAS Attack-7, Santa Monica, CA

Impermanence, Brand Library Art Center, Glendale, CA

Another Cats Show, 356 S. Mission Rd Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

MAS Attack, Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA

Summus, Minan Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Transit, SAC Arts at Santora Art Center, Santa Ana, CA

ArtCrasher, Venice Arts Gallery, Venice, CA

Monster Drawing Rally, Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA

6x6x2014, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY

MAS Vegas, VAST Space projects, Henderson, NV

To Klingon or Not to Klingon, Project LALO, Campbell Works Galler

Juried exhibition, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA

C- Note, Jaus Gallery,, Los Angeles, CA