Emerging from a quiet Greenwich Village studio, a striking new ceramic collection is turning heads across the contemporary art world. Conceived by New York-based artist Ellen Colcord, the series bears the title “Army of Beings” and serves as a bridge connecting traditional earth-based media with the unseen realms of human spirituality.
Intuitive Creation and the Memory of Touch
Striking a chord between ancient visual traditions and modern sensibilities, Colcord’s mystical forms carry profound emotional weight. Rather than relying on rigid preparation, she employs a rapid, instinctive technique known as “spontaneous meditation,” which values immediate expression above careful calculation.
In this workflow, the clay acts as an active collaborator, capturing the physical “memory of touch” and preserving fleeting moments of subconscious awareness with stark authenticity. Rather than treating her finished works as static items she merely builds, Colcord regards them as “visitors” that she both leads and follows.
A Transformed Path From Design to Divinity
This spiritual collection traces its roots back to a pivotal 1988 career change, when Colcord walked away from a successful position at a New York City design company to pursue fine art full-time. This leap catalyzed a global academic and creative exploration:
- Discovering Siena: Stationed in Siena, Italy, she examined the 13th-century creations of master Duccio di Buoninsegna, finding specific influence in the spiritual “golden sphere” motif within his pieces. She further honed her craft at the Academia di Belle Arte in Urbino.
- Academic Foundations: Her formal background includes a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art from New York University, complemented by a Master’s degree in Art and Religion from Yale University Divinity School.
Gateways to Sacred Dimensions
While Colcord expresses her vision through diverse outlets—such as collage, filmmaking, and publishing—clay stays at the core of her visceral, unfiltered output.
As today’s art scene delves deeper into questions of transcendent meaning and material limits, the “Army of Beings” stands out as a compelling contribution. These clay figures invite contemplation, acting as tangible doorways to heavenly dimensions while reflecting humanity’s timeless pursuit of the sacred.