ELL13
Free-Standing Assemblage Sculpture - Found Objects & Mixed Media - 2022
Overview
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.
