Ellie Eklof
is an artist raised in rural northern Wisconsin. They have a love for folk craft, the circus, taxidermy, cats, and hot black coffee.They have recieved a BFA in Studio Art from University of Wisconsin-Stout.
They are the recipient of the Student Artist in Residency at University of Wisconin-Stout, and a recipient of the Solo Thesis Show in January 2025.
Statement:
It is through my work that I aim to expose our earthly inclinations to an advanced,detached, and globalized audience.
My upbringing was rooted in the folk craft of Northern Wisconsin. As a child, I was taught how my familial tradition cohabitated with our environment. My father showed me how to identify the way other animals lived in the woods, and how to subsequently live off them. My mother taught me about home craft and the emotional impact of handmade goods. These traditions have shaped me into an individual that is inherently destined to make.
It is my goal to teach a global audience about the ways rural communities make
art. Many of these traditions are seen in a lower context of craft. I marry my education in fine arts to the rituals of folk craft, and bring personal context and concept into these traditional mediums. I redefine what craft is, making my work communicative across generations in new ways. My queer perspective balances precariously on gender constructs, often with some sort of sick punch line, reflecting my own humor. I evoke conflicting emotions and question
societal morals surrounding the greater natural world. By bringing traditional craft into a gallery setting, I expose my audience to more truths that live within the natural world.
Curriculum Vitae