Ella Collins

My inspiration for my practice comes from my personal experience growing up as a little girl, navigating my way through to adulthood and the feeling of imposter syndrome; I feel that I know less now than I did when I was 16. There is a pressure to look better, act nicer and talk less. These are not things that only apply to me but are a theme in the lives of women I speak to.

The women in my life frequently inspire me: my family members, the women I have known for 10 years, or 4 years, the women I meet for 30 seconds in a club bathroom, those who smile as they pass in the hallway, the women who don’t settle for what they don’t deserve and those who do.

In my practice, I use my face and body to provide women with a safe space to express their experiences. My painted series titled ‘Look Away’ offers a personal glimpse into my life. Each portrait stands alone, yet together they represent a lapse in time between not knowing and knowing. They serve as a reminder that it is okay to be both broken and healed, and that one can exist somewhere in-between.

Women are exceptional at expressing their emotions, thoughts, agreements, and disagreements. ‘Words From Women’ is a two-part photographic print series. The series features quotes from an anonymous survey that was open to all who identify as women. The survey opened conversations about violence, sexism, and confidence. I feel honoured to have been entrusted with their wisdom and they are the driving force behind my practice.