Ellen Ehk b. 1976

Ellen Ehk’s artistic practice is characterized by an interplay between various different materials, textures, and forms. It features a contrast between shiny, smooth surfaces and matte, rough textures, as well as heavy, solid shapes and fragile, shell-like ones. Ehk’s distinct, organic expression is partly related to her personal background, while indicating a deeper understanding of nature as a reflection of our human reality. In this sense, her art is a testimony to the notion of nature as a boundless source of inspiration and knowledge.

Her works include mushrooms, mosses, and trees – forms that have appeared in Ehk’s art for many years. These are accompanied by moss-covered stones, lumps of soil, and rock formations, collectively constituting a poetic and playfully deconstructed nature. Ehk moves seamlessly between different materials, skillfully utilizing the distinct qualities of clay, bronze, glass, wood, and stone. The latest works have emerged through improvisation and Ehk’s tireless desire to renew her expression and explore new methods. Leftover material from previous casting processes can give rise to new ideas, and existing sculptures occasionally provide a basis for new, remodeled pieces.

Ellen Ehk (b. 1976) lives and works outside of Nybro, Sweden. She received an MA in Ceramic Art from HDK University of Design and Crafts, Gothenburg in 2002. Ehk has presented several solo exhibitions at Berg Gallery, VIDA Museum, Öland, Galerie NeC, Paris and PULS Gallery, Brussels. In addition, her work has been exhibited at Swedish Institute, Paris, CHART Art Fair, Copenhagen, Nordic Art Center, Xiamen, Da-End Gallery, Paris, Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg, Kalmar Art Museum and COLLECT Saatchi Gallery, London, among other galleries, museums and art fairs in Japan, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, the Netherlands, and Spain. Ehk is represented in several public collections, including Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg, Shanghai Arts and Craft Museum, and the Public Art Agency of Sweden. In 2019, she was the first artist to receive the Ulrica Hydman Vallien Memorial Grant.