During her childhood Elena frequently moved from place to place in former Yugoslavia, and then to Australia, as a refugee in the 90s. She discovered painting and drawing as a tool to help navigate through the discomforts of migrating around a war-ravaged homeland. Her creative skill later becoming indispensable as she arrived to Australia as a shy refugee who could not speak English, charming  her peers with her artworks of animals and other characters.  

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Exploring the wonders of a new home, an island of wind-ravaged beaches, imposing, ancient sandstone cliffs and the water, in all its faces and shades, would inspire her paintings from then on. 

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But it wasn't only nature which captivated her. This was a new home full of people from every corner of the globe, and celebrating this diversity -- against the backdrop of an ancient, weather-beaten and ruggedly-beautiful landscape -- has provided the inspiration for her art. 

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Between these two pillars -- the people and the land -- there is vulnerability and strength. Primordial earth is the back-splash to the explosive energy, tension and strength of humanity. 

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Elena paints primarily with acrylics on plywood boards, canvas and paper. She also experiments with building materials using recycled tiles, wall paints and cement-based adhesive. To learn more about her process and inspirations, please contact Elena via email below.