"Did I make you smile?
Did I make you look twice, discovering something new?
… as an artist, a goal as simple
as that, is what I strive for... |
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...I discovered early on, that for me, to create art, is all about the pleasure of the unexpected, the undiscovered. With 'happiness' in
seemingly shorter and shorter supply in an increasingly stressful
world, I take refuge, and invite you to join me, in the little things,
the simple things, the things in life that bring joy.
Working in a multicultural society it always gives me a thrill to see people
from very different cultural backgrounds sharing a smile viewing my work…
..we are at the very basic levels all the same…. searching for the good things in life, our family, our children and what we share with them."
- Mariann Johansen-Ellis
Full time artist Mariann Johansen-Ellis, born in Denmark in 1962, spent her
childhood on her grandparents farm, surrounded by animals and nature, with the sea a short bicycle ride away, a happy childhood that greatly influences her work to this day.
Her grandfather expressed these surroundings in intricate woodcarvings,
and her mother is very involved in various forms of craft practices, this meant she knew from an early age that the creative field was where she felt at home.
It was how ever, not until 1989, when she moved to the South of Spain,
that the dream of working full time as an artist could be fulfilled.
Meeting a community of printmakers and artists, and taking great inspiration and support, most notably from Mary Eisman and Luella Ramsey, she started to develop her own, distinctive style of work. Going through various mediums, she discovered that printmaking opened up a path that was very compatible with her vision, and being practical, also put food on the table.
Meeting her husband in 1995, "the most supportive and loving person, any artist could wish to be married to!", a period of life as an expatriate started, with all the possibilities of experimenting and developing her work. Although her first love is printmaking, painting has also come to take a prominent role, in the body of work Mariann has created in the years she has spent in Singapore, where she currently is living.
Mariann is represented by Red Sea Gallery both in Singapore and Brisbane, Australia:
"The style of work I have chosen has not always been an easy fit in the world of art galleries, so it was a pleasure to meet a gallery owner like
Chris Churcher at Red Sea Gallery.
He immediately saw the possibilities in my work, and we have enjoyed tremendous success in the over three years we have collaborated.
Chris realized that parent wants to give their children the very best whilst growing up, and education in the subtler areas of life, like art appreciation, is an area that is no longer neglected.
We also realized that in every adult is a child waiting to be enthralled, as proven with my paintings and prints now found in many public and private collections in both Europe, the United States and Asia."
- Mariann Johansen-Ellis
Mariann has had several solo exhibitions at Red Sea Gallery in Singapore, and has also participated in various group exhibitions in both Singapore and Europe.
Mariann plans to spend more time in Spain from the end of 2008, having just finished building what will become her and her husband's home and studio in a beautiful valley close to the historic town of Antequera in Andalucia.
Having enjoyed enormously leading workshops at the Singapore Tyler Print Institute (www.stpi.com.sg) she plans to spend part of her time sharing her printmaking knowledge giving workshops.
"Being an artist can be quite an isolating life, and I did not realize just how much fun it could be to share my knowledge and see the results until I was persuaded to conduct workshops. It is a truly inspiring experience to work together with a group of people all intent on exploring their creativity."
Mariann Johansen-Ellis has also collaborated with Sunbear Publishing (www.sunbearpublishing.com) in Singapore,
creating a series of illustrated children’s books to illuminate the plight of endangered species. Other illustration projects include “Where’s Grandma?” a project commissioned
by the Alzheimer Foundation of Singapore and supported by the Lee Foundation.
Mariann is now seeking gallery representation in Europe, and you are welcome to contact her with any inquiries.
"I find that most artists love to talk art, share art, share knowledge, and I am no different - if you have any questions or would like to know more about any of my work, please don’t hesitate to get in touch…. It would be a pleasure to hear from you!
Mariann
Selected Exhibitions:
2001: Solo Exhibition “Show me your Etchings” Shell Brunei Exhibition Facility
2002: Group Exhibition “The Art Show” Shell Brunei Exhibition Facility
2003: Solo Exhibition “Print It!” Shell Brunei Exhibition Facility
2005: Art Sydney, Australia
2005: Group Exhibition “Pameran Poskad” Gallery La Libreria, Singapore
2005: Art Singapore, Singapore
2005: Solo Exhibition “All about the story” Red Sea Gallery, Singapore
2006: Art Sydney, Australia
2006: Art Singapore, Singapore
2007: Solo Exhibition “An Elephant told Me”, Red Sea Gallery, Singapore
2007: Art Sydney, Australia
2008: in June, Red Sea Gallery moved to their current space, where Mariann has a
separate room with a permanent exhibition.
2008: 1x1x1 FOST Gallery, Group exhibition, Singapore
2008: Pameran Poskad, Group exhibition at House@Dempsey, Singapore
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