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Glass Doors & Bridges with ELLEN LANE

Glass Doors and Bridges with Ellen Lane

Glass Doors and Bridges feature the beautifully emotive works of contemporary artist Ellen Lane, inspired by her experiences in Bali. Reflecting the multi-dimensional nature of our community whilst highlighting the connecting thread of creative energy here. A dialogue that begins through Ellen Lanes' visual expression invites the community into a visual discourse about segmentations and connections.

"I am not answering questions but am allowing a free flow. A big blank canvas can take you into a new world"

A Manifestation of Welcome

"I have done different kimonos in different periods of my career. They represent a figure, quite a non-descript figure that comes and goes in my work. There is a representation of the east through the kimono imagery. The materials are a combination of objects that I find in the land where I make the kimono.
'Kimono Iluh', 2021, mixed media on canvas by Ellen Lane.

The collections of different items, recycled belongings and tokens of places perhaps each have an imprint. Of a story or memory. When we think of recycled objects, you would often imagine something aged and worn. Looking at the beauty of Kimono Iluh, this elegance and grace. With softness and still bold and empowering. This is the feeling the artist has captured. A reflection of Bali, in the form of the imaginary robes of something more than a dream.

Close up views of Kimono Iluh mixed media by Ellen Lane.
In this case here in Bali, there are objects that people use in offerings and festivals that have gone into the Kimono. They may be parts of items from places I have visited here. Kimono Iluh has female energy. Within Kimono Iluh, my interest in Bali is incorporated into her figure. She is ethereal."

Memory of a Face in the Sand

On each side of Kimono Iluh are mixed media pieces Face in the Black Sand I and Face in the Black Sand II. Mixed media on paper in a gold glass frame.

"I visited a beach in Tabanan where these photographs were taken. The beach had no name that I know of, it was quite hidden. This place very much spoke to me, I felt that it came to me. In the photographs, I can see a face clearly emerge. I transferred the image of the face onto a paper and made a collage..
Both Face in the Black Sand I and II are representative of the entity that I discovered in the black sand.
Even if it may look fierce but the feeling is very peaceful.. this was something that was quite moving for me..

Face in the Black Sand are precious memories. Captured in the same subtle layers as they would have appeared to the artist as she stood on the black sand beach. The way that the waves would roll upon the beach and each time revealing something more. There is a sense of something hidden, a precious secret to be discovered. Once seen it can so quickly disappear. The choice of a glass gold frame that sets these two mixed media pieces a subconscious dedication of a cherished memory.

The feeling was very peaceful, it is one of my most wonderful memories. I felt that I was welcomed here to Bali on this beach with no name."

Ellen Lanes' paintings from this period of time exude a joy. The artist explained how she had experienced transformations. Her colours had changed. She found colours emerging in her palette that were softer and feminine. The works that emerged are an intimate journal of a connection, one felt deeply from within.

Breathe She Whispers.... whispers though the flowers.. she says "breathe…"
Breathe She Whispers. Acrylic on canvas by Ellen Lane

Where the Heart Blooms...

There is a sense of a breeze, something fresh and transformative. A lushness, of growth and regeneration. These abstract creations, capture the feeling of a meeting between two worlds. Of a strength that is fused with surreal beauty. Nature's power of regeneration, nurture and abundance.

Urban Garden. Mixed media by Ellen Lane
The garden is hidden in stone and plaster. Blossoms emerge out of it.. the flowers growing through the urban textures...The scratches and the markings on the side of an old wall and a wisp of a cloud came through, like a wisp of a dream. There are a lot of marks and scratches for that little wisp of a dream to enter."
A Small Wisp of a Dream. Acrylic on canvas by Ellen Lane

Each piece in the collection takes our hand as though we are walking through Glass Doors and Bridges'. The glass separates us yet we can see through it. Whether it is in the privacy of our own hearts or in the communities in which we live. She takes us on an intimate journey, full of cherish. Delicate like a dream.

Contemplating Light..

Contemplating figures are figures in a landscape. They grew out of the landscape with different lights at different times of day,.
Contemplating Light I. Acrylic on canvas.
Figures contemplating their environment. Perhaps born out of sunset or emerging through dawn.
Contemplating Light II. Acrylic on canvas.
Perhaps it is morning, perhaps it is night, figures that emerge from the light. Like an outsider coming in contemplating a new world.
Contemplating Light III. Acrylic on canvas.
Contemplating Light. Acrylic on canvas by Ellen Lane

In this journey, we experience welcome. A welcome that whispers through blossoms and appears in the sands. We experience beautiful strength, a force that is life, and abundant. Full of nurture yet delicate like a dream. In a new land, re-shaped by the ever-changing light. A gift is given of a new self-discovery. A rebirth.

Leading to Birth..

"Is the Creation of Female Power, The beginning. The artist expresses this sense of creation at its beginning.. is the point of creation. In this painting, the energy is feminine. "
This can represent creative energy.. explosive creative energy. I think it most interesting here that it is represented through blues and chaos... but the chaos that is also cool and calming.. a very powerful creative, female energy, chaotic and powerful"

Ellen Lane is an American contemporary artist residing in Bali. Her creative career has spanned a variety of mediums. Coming from a multi-media and photographic background with strong commercial roots into abstract and figurative works of an intuitive nature.

Ellen Lane has exhibited widely, and her award-winning artworks are in collections throughout the United States and Europe. Her paintings are published in the books, “The Best of Acrylic Paintings”, and “Portrait Inspirations” and “Living Artists 13”.

The works of Ellen Lane inspired by her experiences in Bali reflect the multi-dimensional nature of our community whilst highlighting the connecting thread of creative energy here.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Ellen Lane for sharing her beautiful work and the personal experiences that inspired them. To our community here in Ubud Bali, for their generosity and openess. Participating in the heartfelt dialogue that makes 'Glass Doors and Bridges' possible.

This online presentation has been brought to you by Sawidji Gallery.

Credits:

Sawidji Studio, Dewi Dian Reich, ManButur Suantara