Inside the Greenwich Village Studio Where Clay Meets...

A quiet Greenwich Village workspace has become the birthplace of a captivating new ceramic collection that merges the timeless nature of earth with the depths of human spirituality. Conceived by New York-based artist Ellen Colcord, the series bears the title “Army of Beings” and serves as a bridge connecting tangible materials to unseen, heavenly dimensions.

An Intuitive Approach to Creation

Striking a careful balance between ancient looks and contemporary sensibilities, Colcord’s mystical sculptures carry profound emotional weight and symbolic power. Rather than relying on rigid preparation, she embraces what she terms “spontaneous meditation”—a rapid, instinctual process that values immediate expression above careful planning.

In this workflow, the clay acts as an active collaborator, capturing the raw honesty of fleeting subconscious thoughts through what the artist calls the “memory of touch.” Instead of viewing the completed works as mere objects she builds, Colcord regards them as “visitors” whom she simultaneously leads and follows.

From Design Firm to Sacred Scholarship

This spiritual collection has roots in a pivotal 1988 career change, when Colcord stepped away from a successful position at a New York City design firm to pursue fine art full-time. That choice initiated a rich creative and academic exploration spanning the globe:

• The Italian Influence: During her time in Siena, Italy, she examined the 13th-century works of master Duccio di Buoninsegna, finding inspiration in his use of the spiritual “golden sphere,” and further honed her skills at the Academia di Belle Arte in Urbino.
• Faith and Form: Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in Studio Art from New York University, complemented by a Master’s in Art and Religion from Yale University Divinity School.

Gateways to the Ineffable

While Colcord explores multiple disciplines—such as film, collage, and books—clay stands out as her essential vehicle for visceral, unmediated expression.

At a time when modern art frequently investigates profound meaning and the limits of physical media, the “Army of Beings” stands as a compelling achievement. These figures invite quiet contemplation, functioning as physical portals to the sacred and reflecting humanity’s timeless search for the divine.