What a beautiful and poignant introduction to an artist whose life ended way too soon. Ellis grew up in a home with a father who was an accomplished professional photographer. He was well versed in the art of composition, contrast and emphasis. Principles of design that no doubt informed his own personhood growing up gay in a home and a place when being homosexual meant being an outsider among outsiders. In the exhibit, there's a place that speaks to the importance of his friends, of the family he created in place of the one he lost. Ellis died in 1992 of AIDS at the age of 33. This is his first comprehensive exhibition.
untitled (Couple Embracing)
c. 1980-1983
Watercolor and black roller ball pen on paper
untitled (Friends)
circa 1990
Brush and black ink, wash, and graphite on paper
untitled (Grandmother Lilian Ellis)
circa 1981-1985
Brush and black ink, wash, and graphite on paper
Self-Portrait after photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe
1989
Brush and black ink and wash on paper
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