Ellen M. Owens
Artworks
Biofouling Cocci, 2009, oil, wax, and eggshell on cradled panel. Sold. From the series FEAST, which explores dangerous microorganisms in our bodies.
Staphylococcus aureus I (Staph infection) 2009, oil, wax, and eggshell on cradled panel. From the series FEAST, which explores dangerous microorganisms in our bodies.
Hatch Series at Gold Standard 2009, oil, wax, and eggshell on cradled panel. Sold. From the series FEAST, which explores dangerous microorganisms in our bodies.
Biofouling Cocci, 2009, oil, wax, and eggshell on cradled panel. Sold. From the series FEAST, which explores dangerous microorganisms in our bodies.
FEAST
Encaustic wax, eggshell, oil on cradled panel
FEAST explores the less-friendly side of the microscopic world through a siren song of encaustic, eggshell, oil paint, and other media. After the widespread panic caused by the H1N1 virus, the bird flu, and AIDS, people are aware of these diseases through their symptoms but not of their aesthetics at an infinitesimal level. Under closer examination, these organisms and their visceral qualities bring out a secret, sexier side of the science world.
Using images that range from super-magnified slides of bacterial and viral human diseases to high school biology textbooks diagrams, Owens creates enticingly beautiful patterns out of the potentially fatal germs around us.
Sparrows Home, 2010 Pencil, charcoal, conte crayon on found papers. Sold. This series of intimate drawings was inspired by my ongoing relationship with my grandmother, nostalgia from my youth, momento mori, and a fascination with aging materials.
Green Nude, 2010 Pencil, charcoal, conte crayon on found papers. Sold. This series of intimate drawings was inspired by my ongoing relationship with my grandmother, nostalgia from my youth, momento mori, and a fascination with aging materials.
Girl On Swing, 2010 Pencil, charcoal, conte crayon on found papers. Sold. This series of intimate drawings was inspired by my ongoing relationship with my grandmother, nostalgia from my youth, momento mori, and a fascination with aging materials.
Sparrows Home, 2010 Pencil, charcoal, conte crayon on found papers. Sold. This series of intimate drawings was inspired by my ongoing relationship with my grandmother, nostalgia from my youth, momento mori, and a fascination with aging materials.
What My Hands Have Seen
Pencil, charcoal, conte crayon on found papers
This series of intimate drawings was inspired by my ongoing relationship with my grandmother, nostalgia from my youth, momento mori, and a fascination with aging materials. What My Hands Have Seen featured over twenty small, secretive pencil drawings on an assortment of old and “found” papers, gathered from books, maps, and other aged materials.
Many of these aged items were fragile and in a state of decay, so the act of drawing on them was an homage and also an excercise in self-control.
Placenta, 2009 Oil on cradled panel The processes of the human body, while microscopic and mystical, are quite beautiful. Removed from their contexts of disease, tissue, fluid, and bone, our inner processes reveal a whole tantalizing world that is hiding beneath our flesh.
Seedpod, 2009 Oil on cradled panel The processes of the human body, while microscopic and mystical, are quite beautiful. Removed from their contexts of disease, tissue, fluid, and bone, our inner processes reveal a whole tantalizing world that is hiding beneath our flesh.
Story Illustration, 2004 Wax, rice paper, fishing line and hooks The processes of the human body, while microscopic and mystical, are quite beautiful. Removed from their contexts of disease, tissue, fluid, and bone, our inner processes reveal a whole tantalizing world that is hiding beneath our flesh.
Placenta, 2009 Oil on cradled panel The processes of the human body, while microscopic and mystical, are quite beautiful. Removed from their contexts of disease, tissue, fluid, and bone, our inner processes reveal a whole tantalizing world that is hiding beneath our flesh.
Intimate Organics
Oil, wax on canvas and paper
The processes of the human body, while microscopic and mystical, are quite beautiful. Removed from their contexts of disease, tissue, fluid, and bone, our inner processes reveal a whole tantalizing world that is hiding beneath our flesh.
These works explore both internal and external issues of the body.
When the temperature dropped, HomeSkooled Gallery created a three-story blanket fort and hosted a one-night series of activities inside of it. All the blankets (and other warm things) used to create the fort were donated to charity.
For six months, HomeSkooled Gallery inhabited a South Street retail store as part of the "Arts on South" program to invigorate the neighborhood.
As part of BOOKED!, a special event that focused on literary love, Ellen designed a giant participatory storyboard wall.
When the temperature dropped, HomeSkooled Gallery created a three-story blanket fort and hosted a one-night series of activities inside of it. All the blankets (and other warm things) used to create the fort were donated to charity.
Visual & Social Practice Artist,
HomeSkooled Gallery
HomeSkooled Gallery is the playful brainchild of Lauren Bohy, Kathryn Sclavi, Kevin Schott, and Ellen Owens. Through collaboration with local groups, HomeSkooled Gallery (HSG) created welcoming spaces for the community to interact with contemporary art. These experiences empower people to create, share, and value their own works as artistic expressions. Born in 2009, HSG has hosted over twenty arts events in venues throughout Philadelphia.
Ellen and her collaborators contributed to the artistic experience by creating site-specific installations, "happenings," art lessons, interactives, and more. Through themed opportunities, Ellen also exhibited her own individual works.
Select Exhibitions
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Library of Life, juried exhibition at City Hall with the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA 2013
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Paper Fortress, juried exhibition as part of FIBER Philadelphia, Pteradactyl Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2012
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BOOKED!, group exhibition, The Soapbox Independent Publishing Center, Philadelphia, PA 2011
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The Art Anti-Gallery, group exhibition as part of Philly Fringe Festival, PhilaMOCA, Philadelphia, PA 2011
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TOASTY, group installation, HomeSkooled Gallery, Philadephia, PA 2011
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FEAST, solo exhibition, The Gold Standard, Philadelphia, PA 2010
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What These Hands Have Seen, solo exhibition, Astro, Philadelphia, PA 2010