A work of art made with the help of many women refugees from Syria and Ukrain. Two traditional houses, one in Sweden and the other in Finland, were dressed in pink thanks to a patien work of embroidery, which turned into the occasion of recognizing each other as a community.

“Our pink house”, says Polish artist Olek, 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.”

Continue reading on Olek’s website.