Chris Ellis
ARTIST STATEMENT
I have been working with metal for about eight years. To obtain color I use different chemicals to rust the metal, which is somewhat unpredictable but can be controlled to an extent. The unpredictable nature of metal and how it patinas is what I enjoy most about this medium. The organic and unassuming nature of metal is very forgiving and I continually try to work with it's varying characteristics and not against it. I also use acrylic, oil, tempera wood stain and spray paint to obtain color. I set the varying metal fields at different heights to create movement and depth. Shadows are cast on the piece itself and surrounding surfaces as the light changes in a room, making each piece ever evolving throughout the day as the light changes.
Although I have had no formal training in art I believe I have been taught and inspired by my surroundings. What one considers art is quite subjective. To me some of the best art is unintentional: the repeating patterns in an old cobbled brick road, a rusted sign on the side of a building, the spider web effect of a broken piece of glass. All often ignored but upon closer observation can be quite beautiful. I am often inspired by such random and seemingly mundane things.
BIO
Exhibitions:
2010 SNAP (group show)
The Rymer Gallery, Nashville, Tennessee
2009 Artists of Alabama (group show)
Matt Jones Gallery, Birmingham, Alabama
2008 One Last Hoorah (solo show)
Nordys Gallery, Birmingham, Alabama
2004 Salute to Excellence Gala Honoring George Rodrigue (group show)
Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Alabama
2004 New Blood (group show)
Nordys Gallery, Birmingham, Alabama
Galleries:
2003-2008
Nordys Gallery
Birmingham, Alabama
2009-Present
Matt Jones Gallery
Birmingham, Alabama
Awards:
2009 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Award of Distinction
ONB Magic City Art Connection
Press:
May 14-17, 2009 Black & White p. 18 'At the Galleries, A Sampling of Noteworthy Exhibits'
"Chris Ellis cuts and welds metal into layered geometric patterns, the precision of which is juxtaposed with a corroded and rusted quality. It's as though he were commissioned to make a storefront sign or logo that might adorn the entrance to some establishment, but he got pleasantly confused and designed a perfectly pure abstraction instead."
March 13-20 , 2008 Birmingham Weekly, p. 30 under Visual Arts Calendar:
(with picture of piece) ‘See Sea Change and other recent works by Chris Ellis during "One Last Hurrah" at Nordys.'
October 3, 2004 Birmingham News, 'Nordys Gallery Opens a New Season With Exciting Genres' by James R. Nelson. "The metal wall works by Chris Ellis possess a primordial presence that speaks of mysterious origins and exotic cultures. Sometimes mask-like, other times elegantly symmetrical, his constructions have a three dimensional quality that takes full advantage of layered depth. Several pieces resemble an exotic xylophone-like instrument."