Looking Towards the Sun

Looking Towards the Sun was part of Ellen’s ‘Feeling Colours’ Exhibition that ran at the Bluethumb Art Gallery as part of the NGV’s 2021 Melbourne Design Week.

"Colour is life for a world without colours appears to us dead"
– Johannes Itten
Feeling Colours explores the connection between colour and human emotion using upcycled furniture, art and textiles. How does colour affect our sense of calm, excitement and well-being? Can we create inviting and rejuvenating space by understanding and promoting colour? The exhibition will feature several ‘room segments’ showcasing the canvas art and textile design of Ellen McKenna. It is hoped the exhibition will serve as an inspiration for visitors to create and explore colour havens within their own communities, businesses, and homes.

This event was part of Melbourne Design Week 2021, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV.
The artwork has been finished with a satin varnish with UV Protection and is ready to be hung. Please don't hesitate to ask the Blue Thumb Team (they are lovely and helpful) or myself any questions you may have about this painting!
ABOUT ELLEN
Ellen McKenna is a Melbourne based artist and pattern designer. Ellen's work has, so far, been featured in products by fashion, textile and home wares clients, such as the Nerida Hansen Textiles, Cotton ON, Gillian Valentine, Natty and Polly, Sole Mio, Kablooie, Elm Lifestyle, Chester Street Clothing, Foxwood Clothing, Tokoencit and Soxy Beast and also includes a recent collaboration with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Ellen's art work has also been featured in Home Design Magazine and has been included in a corporate art acquisition for the Queen and Collins Building in Melbourne.
Ellen also produced a month long exhibition 'Feeling Colours’ which was hosted by the Bluethumb Art Gallery and was part of Melbourne Design Week 2021 NGV and featured Ellen’s art and textile design.
In 2020 Ellen was also shortlisted as a finalist and awarded a commendation in The Design Files + Laminex - Design Awards in the category of Textile Design.
Ellen works in standalone canvas and scalable digital placement art as well as digital and painterly repeat pattern design for product licensing.