Unlocking the Sacred Through Clay: Inside Ellen...
Emerging from a quiet Greenwich Village workshop, a striking new series of ceramic sculptures is captivating the contemporary art world. Conceived by New York artist Ellen Colcord, the collection—titled “Army of Beings”—bridges ancient ceramic traditions with the profound mysteries of human spirituality.
Intuitive Creation and the Memory of Touch
Striking a delicate balance between old-world traditions and modern sensibilities, Colcord’s mystical works carry heavy symbolic and emotional weight. Rather than relying on rigid blueprints, she employs an intuitive practice known as “spontaneous meditation,” favoring swift, unfiltered creation over deliberate planning.
In this workflow, clay acts as an active collaborator, capturing the “memory of touch” and preserving fleeting moments of subconscious awareness with raw authenticity. Rather than viewing her finished sculptures as inanimate constructs, Colcord treats them as independent “visitors” that she simultaneously leads and accompanies.
A Transformed Path: From Design to Divinity
This deeply spiritual body of work has roots in a pivotal 1988 career change, when Colcord walked away from a successful New York City design position to pursue fine art wholeheartedly. That leap set off a rich artistic and academic exploration spanning the globe:
- Italian Inspiration: During her time in Siena, Italy, she immersed herself in the 13th-century works of master Duccio di Buoninsegna, finding specific inspiration in his use of the spiritual “golden sphere,” alongside further technical training at the Academia di Belle Arte in Urbino.
- Academic Foundations: Her formal training includes a Master’s degree in Studio Art from New York University, complemented by a Master’s in Art and Religion from the Yale University Divinity School.
Gateways to the Divine
While Colcord explores multiple disciplines—ranging from film and collage to book arts—clay serves as her primary medium for visceral, unmediated expression.
At a time when contemporary art frequently investigates deeper meanings and material limits, the “Army of Beings” stands out as a powerful contribution. Acting as tangible portals to heavenly realms, these clay creations invite profound contemplation while reflecting mankind’s timeless search for the sacred.