Elena Mahno was born in Moldova, lived across Eastern Europe and Caucasus prior to immigrating to Canada in the late 1990s. Her sculptural expressive forms are often inspired by the visual vocabulary across these cultural contexts and explore themes of identity, womanhood, and life paths left behind. Her vessels have been part of the 1000 VASES in Paris during Maison et Objet and exhibited in Toronto’s DesignTO, earning a People’s Choice Award for the best window installation. She holds a master’s degree in sciences from University of Toronto with a focus on materials and their healing properties.