Press release:
The Music Box, by Ellen Cornett
Studio H presents a solo show by:
Ellen Cornett
“Juxtapositions”
May 15 through June 14, 2010
Opening Show: May 15 from 6PM to 9PM
About the Exhibition:
Cornett's work begins with words—often short stories, operas or fairytales. But once she
begins painting or drawing, she ceases thinking in terms of written or spoken language and
allows her subconscious to dictate the content and direction of her work. She enjoys the
contrast between very precisely executed drawings of people and objects and their improbable
juxtaposition.
In this juxtaposition of characters and objects, Cornett explores the uncertain and the illogical
in life through her pastels and her drawings. "Eventually, something clicks. I aim to create work
that is evocative whose meaning is ambiguous. As in life, there is more than one truth, more
than one answer and in my work there is more than one narrative."
The people who model for Cornett are her good friends, and the props she uses are either
personal treasures or things she has made herself. The meaning conveyed by both the props
and the people change constantly in Cornett's work and even from day to day. "Today's
meaning is not what it may be tomorrow. My relationship to these people and these things is
mutable and unfixed. Pictures can express that changeability and ambiguity in a way that
words, for me, cannot." explains Cornett.
Theatrical in nature, Cornett's paintings and artistic process set the scene of a performance.
She sews the costumes and assembles the props, positions the models and arranges the
decor. Then she records the tale on paper.
One of Cornett's favorite tales is the transformational story of Pinocchio from a puppet into human boy. This story has inspired Cornett to use scraps of wood, fabric and papier-mâché, to
construct her own troupe of marionettes. Juan Carlos, Ratscina and even Cornett herself are
cast as actors in different stories. As retold by Cornett, Pinocchio grows up to become Juan
Carlos, a tango instructor. Ratscina began as a feral rat for a painting about the Pied Piper, but
listening to the voice of her subconscious, Cornett drew Ratscina as a debutante. Another
important actor in Cornett's imagery is Mary Lou, a faceless rag doll she was given at birth.
She is Cornett's doppelganger and a tool of memory, her stand-in and her alternate.
About the Artist:
Originally from Kensington, MD, Cornett has lived and worked in the Washington, DC area
most of her life. Cornett studied art at the University of Wisconsin and earned a B.A. in Studio
Art from the University of Maryland. Cornett teaches life drawing and oil painting at the Capitol
Hill Arts Workshop.
Cornett has participated in juried, solo and group shows for several years. In addition to many
awards in juried competitions, Cornett is represented by City Gallery in NE Washington, DC
and the William Ris Gallery in Stone Harbor, NJ.
About Studio H Gallery and Workshop:
Among the first galleries to call H ST NE home, Studio H opened its doors to the public in October of 2009. Originally used as a working studio, owner Phil Hutinet transformed the
space into a boutique gallery to showcase the many under-represented artists of the
immediate area.
Studio H exhibits emerging artists on the cusp of realizing major breakthroughs both in their
individual work and in contributing to major contemporary artistic movements. Currently, in
2010, the Spring and Fall showing seasons will connect exceptional DC based artists with their
surrounding community. In 2011, Studio H will diversify its pool of talent by featuring the work
of national and international artists who also straddle the line between the ordinary and the
trendsetting.
For more information about Studio H Gallery and Workshop, please visit www.studiohdc.com. Studio H is located at 408 H Street NE second floor Washington, DC 20002. Contact director- owner Philip Hutinet at 202.468.5277 or phil@studiohdc.com. Hours are by appointment.
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