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. 

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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.