Jem Olsen

Jem Olsen I am a textile artist and activist living on Wadawurrung Country (Ballarat) Australia.

Collage, embroidery and quilting are my usual mediums, however, it's the story at the heart of each work which guides my process and materials.

Block 9 (Final) 🇵🇸
01/10/2024

Block 9 (Final)



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Block 8 🇵🇸
29/09/2024

Block 8



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Block 7 🇵🇸
28/09/2024

Block 7



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Block 6 🇵🇸
21/09/2024

Block 6



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Block 5 🇵🇸
20/09/2024

Block 5



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Block 4 🇵🇸
13/09/2024

Block 4



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The light in the dark.Feeling fortunate to have had some time at home to work on the community quilt this week, all th...
10/07/2024

The light in the dark.
Feeling fortunate to have had some time at home to work on the community quilt this week, all the while aghast at the genocide & mass displacement that continues in Gaza.
Yet I thought I’d document a few things I’ve noticed this past week in the hope that it raises the hope of others who are feeling completely otherwise right now.
I’m still in awe of the number of hearts received after first putting the call out early this year. More than 580 fabric hearts stitched by 36 women, some I’ve known a long time, some only recently & some I’ve never met, within the space of two months.
There’s something very powerful about women coming together to support other women. Whilst I’ve not been able to find out any further details of the woman who led me to start this community quilt, it will always be for her & her beautiful baby boy.
In sorting through this collection of hearts according to colour & tone, I was struck by the number completed using a light tone of fabric, they by far are the majority. It has me contemplating of a collective hope that far outweighs the darkness. And of stitching as a salve.
The light in the dark.


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Block 3 🇵🇸
10/07/2024

Block 3



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If you happen to be in Colac over the next few days or weekend, swing by to check out this year’s CrossXpollination sho...
09/07/2024

If you happen to be in Colac over the next few days or weekend, swing by to check out this year’s CrossXpollination show before it closes.
Unfortunately due to toddler wrangling duties I only managed to see a snippet of the show, but so glad for the snippet.
Well done to the curatorial team for their considered display of the works on show 👏👏 And lovely seeing you again & to hear about your amazing works, even if briefly ♥️

Block 2 🇵🇸
09/07/2024

Block 2



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So glad to have had the opportunity to visit today to hear more about the amazing work of .tons & a discussion about cr...
15/06/2024

So glad to have had the opportunity to visit today to hear more about the amazing work of .tons & a discussion about creativity as a form of resiliency. So many lovely thoughts, ideas & examples shared of creative acts of resiliency & resistance 💥✂️
Lovely to also spend time with some of the other works on show including an incredible piece by that I’d not had the chance to see previously as well as a length of fabric created by Carolyn Dunn which had me thinking lots about a book I’ve been reading ♥️
Check out Kasia’s feed for more pics & insights into her work.

Such a joy to check out this year’s curated by the amazing team. Here’s a few pics of some of the beautiful works on ...
26/05/2024

Such a joy to check out this year’s curated by the amazing team. Here’s a few pics of some of the beautiful works on display.
A big shout out to for her stunning arrangement of my “Jinbaori” kimono piece & for the extended lend of her gorgeous Edwardian mannequin.
Congratulations to all the local artisans & makers who had works on show this year 💖

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Torquay, VIC

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