Pawel Robert Jelenski
Marquetry artist and community activist
I am a marquetry artist using wood as a medium of expression. My work focuses on simple geometry, abstraction with elements of science fiction.
In my work I use natural components - solid depth wood blanks as a base, various veneers, mother of pearl, silver & gold, traditional hide glue and natural resin for a beautiful shiny/silk finish.
The process of creating a small picture takes one to two weeks and is complex. From the idea, to the digital concept, to the choice of the right wood, to the gluing of small pieces of veneer, to the final sanding and varnishing, which takes a lot of time.
Dealing with a not very popular art technique creates a beauty of wood craftsmanship, but also requires patience and focus on detail.
Not only visual arts... For many years I have been making short films and documentaries, which have been shown at many Polish film festivals, as well as performing in a number of theatres, including the Green Latern Theatre in Wroclaw (Poland), the Karawana Theatre in Sobieszow (Poland) and the Dereham Theatre Society (England). I am currently co-founding a small Polish theatre group in Norwich, which is preparing a short play in Polish.
Outside the world of art, I help people. I am co-founder and director of Norfolk Polonia CIC, the Polish minority support organisation in Norwich (UK), which runs the local West Earlham Community Centre and support Poles in Norfolk and Suffolk.
In the past, outside of art, I have worked in NGOs organisations, been a teacher, coordinated EU projects for young people (2007-2013) and worked as a cultural animator. I have been living in the UK for many years. I graduated from the Pedagogical University of Krakow (Poland) with a Master's degree in Fine Arts Education (recognised by UK ENIC), the title of Visual Artist and teaching qualifications.
