Photograph by Jüergen Bode, Salzwedel Germany
Ellen H Ray is an artist whose practice is rooted in meditation and the study of connection. Her work looks at the natural world, seeking out moments of quiet contemplation and communion, especially as it offers illumination for humans in search of healing interactions with each other and the Earth. She looks for connection through genetics, consciousness, and shared history. Trees, root systems, strata, cellular structure, and vibration patterns are recurring themes that speak to her interest in the Earth's way of communicating and holding memory.
Ray is a member of Throughline Collective, an artist run space focused on bringing dynamic, contemporary art and programming to Houston. She studied art at the University of North Texas and had a 20 year career as a decorative artist in Dallas before moving to Houston in 2015. She furthered her education by taking many courses and workshops in Dallas and Houston. In 2020, she completed the 2 year studio intensive BLOCK program at the Glassell School of Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Her work has shown in one and two person exhibitions at Monterroso Gallery in Houston, Jung Center Houston, Gallery 200 at Silos, Tank Space, Lone Star college, Cy-Fair, and Throughline Collective. Group exhibitions include Lawndale's The Big Show, Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas, and Mönchskirche Cultural Center in Salzwedel Germany, following a month long residency at AtelierHaus in Hilmsen, Germany. Her work is in the Baylor College of Medicine collection, and many private collections in the US and abroad.