Emerging from a quiet Greenwich Village workshop, a striking collection of contemporary ceramics has captured the attention of the art world. Titled “Army of Beings” and crafted by New York-based artist Ellen Colcord, the series serves as a visual bridge connecting traditional earthen materials with the profound depths of human spirituality.
Spontaneous Creation and the Language of Clay
Striking a careful balance between historical reverence and modern flair, Colcord’s mystical sculptures carry significant symbolic and emotional weight. Eschewing careful, rigid planning, she relies on a practice she defines as “spontaneous meditation,” favoring a rapid, intuitive workflow over premeditated design.
In this creative framework, the clay acts as an active collaborator. The physical medium preserves the “memory of touch,” capturing fleeting moments of subconscious realization with raw authenticity. Rather than viewing her finished works merely as objects of construction, Colcord regards them as “visitors” whom she simultaneously leads and follows.
A Journey from Design to Divinity
The roots of this spiritual series stretch back to a pivotal transition in 1988, when Colcord walked away from a lucrative career at a New York City design agency to pursue fine art full-time. This bold step initiated a wide-ranging artistic and academic expedition spanning various global locations:
- Italian Inspiration: During her time in Siena, Italy, she examined the creations of 13th-century master Duccio di Buoninsegna, drawing influence from the spiritual “golden sphere” found within his pieces. She further honed her craft at the Academia di Belle Arte in Urbino.
- Academic Foundations: Her formal background 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 Transcendence
While Colcord’s creative output spans multiple mediums such as film, collage, and books, clay holds its place as her principal tool for immediate, visceral communication.
As modern art perpetually investigates themes of profound significance and the limits of physical media, the “Army of Beings” stands out as a meaningful addition. These ceramic figures invite contemplative thought, functioning as tangible portals to celestial realms while mirroring humanity’s everlasting search for the sacred.