ABOUT MARTHA
Martha Ellis is inspired by natural and urban landscapes, exploring positive and negative space, and the challenge of using laser technology to create cut out drawings.
Ellis is greatly influenced by nature, particularly how it contrasts and compliments manmade forms and architecture. Her work investigates the juxtaposition between constructed buildings and nature in her drawings based on her visits to Kew Gardens and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. She is currently working on a body of work which tracks the seasons at a specific section of the Whiteadder River, near Duns in the Scottish Borders. Taking the grasses and plants which are found there and creating a series of composite laser cut drawings. By altering the scale and location of these plants, the beauty they possess (but often ignored) are framed in a new light. Her intention is to encourage people to look more, see what is beneath their feet, on the edge of a track or river and in the pure joy and beauty of the mundane!
An ever-growing fascination in reducing complex scenery down to more simplified lines and block colours has been inspired by the work of Zadok Ben – David, Julian Opie and Michael Craig-Martin. All Ellis’ pieces start with pencil and paper as she spends hours drawing from life in her sketchbook. She re-creates these line drawings on the computer, painstakingly adding detail until she is finally happy. Using laser technology, Ellis then cuts out the drawing, creating eye catching and intriguing pieces. Her unique wooden laser cut drawings are hung directly onto the wall where they cast beautiful shadows which vary depending on strength of light, cloud or time of day, a deliberately interactive and living aspect to her art.
RESUME
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2020 ‘Salon des Refuses’ part of New Light Art Prize, Scarborogh Art Gallery
2019 ‘UTOPIA’, touring exhibition, Society of Scottish Artists
2019 Royal Birmingham Society of Artist, Prize Exhibition (Highly Commended)
2018 ‘Summer Exhibition 2018’ Royal Academy, London
2018 ‘Contemporary Young Artist Award 2018’ Shortlisted at Biscuit Factory Gallery, Newcastle
2018 ‘Present Perfect Continuous’ group exhibition, Zverev Contemporary Art Centre, Moscow
OTHER EXHIBITIONS:
2021 Marchmont House Open Studio's
2020 The Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright, Scotland
2020 ‘Borders Art Fair’, Kelso Scotland
2019 ‘MADE:Showcase’ Yorkshire Sculpture Park (and in 2014)
2019 Chantry House Gallery, Harrogate
2019 The Number Four Gallery, St Abbs
2019 The Moreton Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh
2019 ‘Borders Art Fair’, Kelso Scotland
2019 ‘Flux’ group exhibition at The Army Museum, London
2019 ‘Talented Art Fair’, London
2019 ‘Yorkshire Landscapes’ Art Form Gallery, Bradford
2019 Winter Exhibition Roundhay Park, English Art Co.
2018 30X30 Group exhibition, SSA, Royal Scottish Academy
2018 ‘Art Roundhay Park’ English Art Co group exhibition, Leeds
2018 New Artist Fair’, London
2018 ‘Summer Exhibition’ Globe Arts Gallery, Slaithwaite
2018 ‘Vibrant’ Exhibition Art Number 23 Gallery, Biscuit Factory London
2016 The Long Gallery, Sheffield Children’s Hospital Re-Present Exhibition
RESIDENCIES
2019 Edinburgh Academy, Edinburgh
2021 Marchmont House, Scottish Borders