Ellie Petersen

Most likely to bug Nick and Sean

Growing up around the farms of Ridgefield (WA) and the eccentric spirit of Portland, my art follows my curiosity about the similarities and differences within my surrounding environments. Informed by lived experiences, generational histories, and contemporary dialogues, my art practice uses objects, places, and attitudes as a source to divert assumptions and negotiate the ways people find belonging through changing cycles of perception and environments.

In and out of interest, 2023 Photograph

Your work makes me think about the environments/interiors I occupy, their individuality and quirks that make them what they are to me and to the various people that interact with them. It also makes me think about how differently we all live and how our environments shape us to be the people we ultimately become. How not only our environments but our parents, where were born, the things we eat and grow up with shape our perspective of the world. You find beauty in the environments you maneuver around in. Through your photography you embrace each item or location as its own unique entity. It feels as if you’re documenting them to keep track of the various interiors, but you do so with such curiosity and need to understand why they’re important to you. Your recent incorporation of text in your images has been my favorite aspect of your growth as an artist. I always look forward to seeing what you come up with because it always blows me away and leaves me feeling inspired and ready to start my next idea!

Ellie, You have this talent where you can turn seemingly mundane and meaningless settings into ones that tell stories yet are ambiguous, meticulously detailed yet simple. The way you put a series of images in conversation with each other is pure magic. I have always loved the way you choose to present your photos whether it is adding text, changing the orientation, or placement of the images. It is like your projects are choreographed, every decision made behind each photo holds meaning and contributes to this indescribable feeling you get when looking at your work and it leaves you satisfied yet confused and wanting more. On top of your own artistic eye, you have such a talent for helping others further their own artistic vision. You have always approached critique with such grace, always letting people know that what you have to say is your opinion and we don’t have to take it into account, but we always do! Your ideas and advice are so helpful when I am stuck or second guessing my own work. I always appreciate what you have to say because it holds a weight that is genuine and honest. Ellie, it has been great getting to know you as an artist and a friend. I hope the path you take after graduation is one that is creative and where you can keep growing as an artist!