BORN
St. Cloud, Minnesota, 1974
Elissa Gjertson’s artistic journey has meandered through a variety of forms over the past 40+ years, with a particular interest in global and indigenous art.
From early on, Elissa connected with one idea: “creativity” – whether, as a child, she was drawing under her father’s table in his painting studio or crafting near her mother’s sewing cabinet … performing on stage in high school or building theatre sets in college … playing guitar and writing songs for an all-girl alt country band … co-founding a creative design agency focused on frank communication … co-authoring a personal development travel book on how to create an imaginative life … building upcycled furniture from thrifted and found objects … and so much more.
It was her move to Lombok, Indonesia in 2019, however, that spurred the inception of her new studio, Plastik Kembali, as she explored her interest in creating art from plastic waste – and the culmination of her creative life came into focus.
Today Elissa conceptualises new ways to reimagine waste materials of all types, from plastic and textiles to natural fibre and wood – working closely with her team to translate her concepts into artworks that honour Indonesian artistic traditions. Her creative inspiration pulls from a vast bank of traditional and contemporary folk-art techniques as well as modernist art, abstract expressionism, and colour field painting.
Elissa operates closely with her local community waste infrastructure program, as well as collaborates with plastic banks and recycling centres around the archipelago to source the recycled plastics that become the base materials for all her artworks. Recycled textiles are sourced from hospitality and textile company partners in Java and Bali and from individual donations.
Elissa credits her family for her artistic enthusiasm. A major, formative influence includes learning traditional fibre arts, such as macrame, cross-stitching, weaving, and knitting from her grandmothers, aunts and mother. Perhaps this is why Plastik Kembali’s art showcases an affinity for these traditionally feminine art forms that are practiced by various folk artists worldwide.
Today, Plastik Kembali consists of Elissa and her team of nearly 30 local artisans, the majority of whom are women. While the collective and their work has grown in scale, their goal remains to address one of Indonesia’s biggest challenges – plastic waste – through one of its greatest strengths, traditional folk art.
1992-1996 Creative Advertising & Design, Women’s Studies | University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
INDIGINEOUS ART & DESIGN EDUCATION
2019 Traditional Back-Strap Loom Workshop | Sukarare, Lombok, Indonesia
2019 Rattan Weaving Private Instruction | Beleke, Lombok, Indonesia
2019 Pandan Fiber Weaving Private Instruction | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
2018 Twining Workshop | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
2018 Batik Private Instruction | Pandaan, Java, Indonesia
2018 Indonesian Art Discovery Workshop | Surabaya, Java, Indonesia
RECYCLING ART & DESIGN EDUCATION
2019 Recycling through Injection Molding, Bope Studio | Chiang Mai, Thailand
2019 Plabric Creation, Bope Studio | Chiang Mai, Thailand
2019 Precious Plastic Recycling Academy | Online
2017 Upcycled Product Design Workshop | Hayward, Wisconsin, USA
2017 “Collage for the Soul” Workshop | Hayward, Wisconsin, USA
2023 Omah Budoyo Gallery / ArtWeeks | Jogjakarta, Java, Indonesia
2023 Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan | Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
2023 John Hardy Boutique & Gallery | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 W Hotel | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 Klub Kembali | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023-2024 Nyaman Gallery | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 ISA Gallery | Jakarta, Java, Indonesia
2023 Potato Head Beach Club | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
2023 Suara Fest | Nuanu Village, Bali, Indonesia
2022 G20 Future Village | Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
2022 Museum NTB | Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Marriott TA’AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa | Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia
Four Seasons Resort Bali At Jimbaran Bay | Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia
W Hotel | Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Lombok International Airport | International Arrivals Hall | Lombok, Indonesia
Boni Beach | Serangan, Lombok, Indonesia
Segara Lodge | Serangan, Lombok, Indonesia
Villa Kotak + Kaleng Kollective | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Sempiak Seaside Resorts | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Tropik Lombok | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Bruga Villas | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Burudika Villas | Selong Belanak, Lombok, Indonesia
Makasea, Private Motor Yacht
Private Buyers | Jakarta, Java, Indonesia
Private Buyers | Jogjakarta, Java, Indonesia
Private Buyers | Bali, Indonesia
Private Buyers | Singapore
Private Buyers | Australia
Private Buyers | New Zealand
Private Buyers | Netherlands
Private Buyers | Switzerland
Private Buyers | United States
Elissa Gjertson is available for commissions for public and private spaces.