ELL13

Free-Standing Assemblage Sculpture - Found Objects & Mixed Media - 2022

A metallic model of a submarine with a dog figurine and a starfish design on it, mounted on a green base with four supporting legs.
A metallic model of a submarine with a dog figurine and a starfish design on it, mounted on a green base with four supporting legs.

Overview

Sculpture of an elephant made from metallic mechanical parts, standing on a turquoise base.

ELL13, affectionately known as Ellie, is a one-of-a-kind assemblage sculpture that transforms an abandoned coffee table into a whimsical, long-legged robotic elephant. Blending mechanical ingenuity with personal artifacts and imaginative details, the piece explores memory, love, loss, and the enduring connections carried through the objects we keep. Inspired by Salvador Dalí and rooted in deeply personal remembrance, Ellie transforms found materials into a joyful celebration of imagination and the people who continue to shape us.

Details

Year, 2022

Size, Medium

Materials: Toys, Artist’s Late Mother’s Earrings, Found Objects, Metal Components, Wood, LED Lighting

Dimensions: 31 × 26 × 12 in.

The Story Behind
Ell13

Discover the memories, symbolism, and personal connections woven into Ellie, a joyful tribute to love, remembrance, and imagination.

Emerging from an abandoned coffee table with elegantly tapered legs discovered in a neighborhood dumpster, ELL13, affectionately known as Ellie, was reimagined as a long-legged robotic elephant. The assemblage serves as a whimsical homage to Salvador Dalí, inspired by the artist's visit to Dalí's house-museum alongside his late mother, Patricia.

Ellie's eyes are formed from Patricia's earrings, creating a deeply personal focal point that anchors the piece in memory. Throughout the assemblage, cherished personal objects and carefully selected found materials celebrate Patricia's lifelong love of animals through imaginative creature-inspired details.

A propeller at the end of Ellie's tail symbolizes moving forward beyond regret, while celestial elements illuminated throughout the work evoke Patricia's return to the stars. Balancing mechanical ingenuity with heartfelt remembrance, Ellie transforms grief into a joyful celebration of love, imagination, and enduring connection

A Closer Look

Every assemblage reveals new stories through its textures, materials, and hidden details.

Sculpture of an elephant made from gold-colored metal parts, with a colorful star-shaped design inside, four legs on a green and blue base, and various mechanical details.
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A sculpture made from mechanical parts resembling a figure with a face, sitting on a display pedestal against a plain wall.
Close-up of a vintage mechanical object with spherical components and metallic parts, possibly a model or a scientific device.
A metallic sculpture of a face with animal figures and mechanical components, featuring a nose, lips, and circular eye areas filled with small animal sculptures.
A close-up view of a scientific or experimental device with shiny metallic parts, tubes, and a vibrant, colorful star-shaped pattern immersed inside a sealed chamber, possibly a star-shaped glass or crystal with intricate colorful internal details.
A star-shaped glass sculpture with a holographic, colorful pattern inside, placed within a decorative metal setting with small animal figurines on top, resembling a miniature sci-fi scene.
Close-up of a metallic robot with various mechanical parts, including gears, tubes, and colorful gemstones arranged in flower shape, standing on a surface with a patterned floor in the background.
A person holding a large metal and plastic pipe with a blue tape around it, connected to a plastic hose, in front of a large white circular object. There is a tripod with a circular metal ring, some plastic bags, wires, and small objects in a cluttered workshop setting.
A workbench cluttered with tools and parts. There is a small, homemade robot or device made from a red plastic container and metal rods. The device has a propeller, wires, and other mechanical components, suggesting it is a DIY project or prototype in a workshop or garage.