Rooms 1 - 6
Ellie English
Rooms 1-6 presents short sequences of photographs in conversation with one another, shifting storylines are presented where there are no absolutes and everything believed to be true lacks certainty. The photograph here exists as a chess piece in a state of play.
Suggested themes of death and sexual violence appear and reappear throughout the work, as does a sense of loss and loneliness. From room to room the work reflects back on to itself as the viewer attempts to piece together narratives and form an understanding of what it is they are being shown. The role of the viewer here is not to attempt to piece together my life, but to recognise feelings within themselves. This contemplation demands a vulnerability, for the viewer to see the work through their own histories.
For now Rooms 1 - 6 exist in miniature form, small worlds of imagined spaces. Yet they are destined to become ‘life sized’, where the image of heaviness actually has weight, and photographs about space will demand recognition of the space they physically occupy.
The viewer is invited to imagine themselves within these spaces, exploring individual ‘rooms’ where photographs would be large objects, several of which are inaccessible, hiding behind or below others. Meaning exists here, but in order for it to reveal itself the viewer is required to make the effort of participating.
With a special thanks to my friend and fellow artist Kenny Ross, one of the few people I discuss my practice with. I’m grateful for our conversations, they have played a big role in the development of this project. Thank you for the support of Fatima at Open Doors and for Lyall Hakaraia at VFD for allowing me to exhibit within their wonderful space. The heaviness of life seems to rarely lift, yet I’m surrounded by so much love and support.
My Mum and my friends are the best family anyone could ask for, thank you for sticking by me through these last couple of years. Our laughter gives me strength.
VFDalston
64 Stoke Newignton Road, London, N16 7XB
10th August - 26th September 2023
Photographic artist Ellie English was born and raised in South East London, currently living in East London. Documentation is at the core of her practice, over the last 8 years she has worked solely on FujiFilm Instax. She began shooting on instant film in 2014 whilst studying BA Photography at Falmouth University. In 2020 Ellie completed a Masters degree (with distinction) in Fine Art at the University of East London. Using the juxtaposition of images, her practice confronts the viewer with storylines whose details are often incomplete. Playing on the power of suggestion, the viewer becomes active investigator into what has taken place beyond that which they are explicitly shown.
For print sales or any other enquires please email elliegraceenglish@hotmail.com