Elena Afonkina

Elena Afonkina is a distinguished Russian origami artist and educator who has played a pivotal role in developing the origami community in Russia. She is the co-founder, along with her husband Sergei, of the St. Petersburg Origami Macmillan PublishersBarnes & Noble Center, which was established in 1991 and became the cornerstone of Russia’s modern origami movement.

As a prolific origami designer, Elena has created 58 original models Origami Designers | Gilad’s Origami Page that showcase her artistic vision and technical expertise. Her designs range from elegant decorative pieces to complex figurative works, including notable creations like the Applauding Monk and various ornamental patterns featuring roses and natural motifs.

Elena’s contributions extend far beyond individual creations. She has co-authored numerous influential origami books with her husband, including the Encyclopedia of Origami for Children and Adults, Paper Zoo, and Dragons and Dinosaurs. These publications have been instrumental in spreading origami knowledge throughout Russia and internationally.

As an origami educator, Elena has dedicated herself to teaching the art form to diverse audiences. She gives origami lessons for adults Russian Origami: 40 Original Models Designed by the Top Folders in the Former Soviet Union by Sergei Afonkin, Tom Hull | eBook | Barnes & Noble® and has helped develop curriculum that brings paper folding into Russian schools. Together with Sergei, she co-wrote an origami textbook for primary schools, helping to integrate this art form into formal education.

Through her work at the St. Petersburg Origami Center, Elena has been instrumental in building a thriving Russian origami community that now includes thousands of folders and has produced a database of over 1,000 original Russian models. Her efforts have transformed origami from a little-known craft into a celebrated art form across Russia.