Surreal Tableaux: Art by Ellen Cornett
Artist Ellen Cornett creates surreal tableaux in both black and white, and color. Her works, mainly created using chalk and pastels, frequently reference fairy tales, poems and rhymes.
I’m really intrigued by the narrative nature of Ellen’s works. While the subject matter of each image varies widely, a number of common motifs, such as human figures with animal heads, or backgrounds featuring suburban housing, tie them together and make them seem like moments in one long, overarching plot. Animals factor strongly in most of Ellen’s drawings, solidifying the connection to fairytales and classical children’s stories.
Ellen's website gallery of pastel works
There is a vaguely dark undertone that seems to run through many of the artist’s works, and while it never overpowers, one gets the sense that each artwork is a mystery waiting to be unraveled. This sense of intrigue really makes these works worth a second look! Check out more on Ellen’s website, www.ellencornett.com.
