About

Olenka Fombertaux Jararwah

View Olenka's Full CV here

Olenka’s influences range far beyond home to create distinctive and universal jewellery designs.  Life, travel and a keen interest in other cultures inspire her evolving collections that embrace the enchanting artistic traditions of ornamentation, arabesque and sacred geometry.

When Olenka graduated from Sydney’s College of Fine Arts in 2012, she was already enjoying a nomadic studio practice which enabled her to engage with different communities while developing the scope of her work. Through an artist residency term at Breathing Colours Gallery in Balmain, and as a member of North Sydney Council’s Pop Up Project in Crows Nest, Olenka realised that a large force behind her practice is the unexpected friendships and connections with people and places that can be forged through creativity. This ethos is always at the core of her activities as an artist.

Olenka has worked broadly in the Sydney art community most recently assisting with the creation of Egyptian revival jewellery for a film shot at Fox Studios in Sydney. Prior experience has been at at Object: Australian Design Centre in Surry Hills as Audience Engagement Coordinator, retail exhibition curator and creative workshops coordinator. This experience has strengthened her belief in supporting our local craft and design community and in promoting the intrinsic value of unique handcrafted pieces of art. 

Olenka has created both commercial and exhibition pieces since 2006 that explore the precious nature of memory, and the associations we make with objects, people and places; the spirit of place we experience through closeness and travel. Whilst designing patterns and forms and recalling transient moments, Olenka aspires to create organic and vibrant pieces that evoke a sense of freedom and expression for the wearer. These are unique pieces with stories to tell, collect, and treasure- bringing the maker and the wearer together in a joyful new narrative.

To keep up to date with Olenka's jewellery inspirations and adventures please visit her instagram feed:

@onepieceofsilver

or follow her on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/OlenkaFJJewellery