about

*Ellie Shipman in her studio at Bricks - Photograph by Jo Hounsome Photography*

Ellie Shipman is a visual artist and illustrator living and working in Bristol, based in a studio at Bricks.

Ellie's work is concerned with concurrent states of being and the process of drawing out shared commonality between those dichotomies: hope and fear; isolation and togetherness; the domestic and the public; grief and joy. The liminal space where these states rebuff, align and overlap is explored, shared and reflected on through multimedia artworks using found objects, textiles, drawing, audio and installation. Ellie is also interested in what it is to be a woman; the experience of birth and new motherhood as well as notions of community; sustainability and anticipatory mourning for climate collapse.

Works are often site specific, participatory or interactive - including people in research, process and product. Eleanor regularly collaborates with researchers, scientists and fellow creatives as well as the general public and a diverse range of community groups.

Ellie studied BA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Art (2008 - 11) and deepened her research into climate resilience and participatory art through undertaking a MSc Sustainable Development in Practice at UWE (2015 - 16). Ellie's background includes working in public engagement and community development roles alongside her art practice, and Ellie has been a full time freelance artist, illustrator and pattern designer since 2018.

Ellie was awarded Arts Council ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ (DYCP) funding to pursue new avenues in her creative practice in 2023 and is currently working on a year-long programme of residencies and new projects.

Ellie is a member of Spike Island Associates and a member of Spilt Milk Gallery.

Commissioners, funders and partners have included:
Arts Council England; We the Curious; The Vietnamese Women’s Museum; Pump House Gallery; The University of Bristol; Historic England; The Royal Shakespeare Company; Wellcome Trust.

Ellie is also an illustrator, map-maker and pattern designer, whose illustration portfolio can be found at ellieshipman.com

Find out more about Ellie's creative practice through this Artist's Talk, commissioned by Bath Spa University in March 2020:

All images and content unless otherwise stated are copyright: Eleanor Shipman.