Ella Kennin

The work explores the relationships between material, the body, and the self. As a queer individual early on their journey of becoming, process is the force that guides me in discovery. When working in the studio, I enjoy isolation and quietness to allow the intricacies of process to create an intimacy between myself and my material. I am growing and coming into being at the same time as my work, and my pieces reflect this journey just as much as it informs it. Through great patience and steady determination, my work grows from the intangible to the tangible. This is not without complications. After all, materials tend to have a mind of their own, as does the human body. Transitioning into becoming who I was always meant to be is something that takes a lot of time and mental labor. The finished works have a quiet presence that focuses viewers’ attention to the finer details, thus fostering curiosity and personal contemplation of what is presented. Although the forms I create are not necessarily representational, they address the body and our relationship to it. I utilize many different types of media but gravitate towards natural materials such as wood and clay.