Elle Tennyson: Tales in ink

Tales in Ink is a collection of work by local artist and illustrator Elle Tennyson, made up of studies that delve into the surreal intricacies of world mythology and with the intention of combining elements to create her own narrative. 

Her use of ink and bleach as a primary medium, gives an unpredictability in its creation especially when combined with salts, as unexpected colours, tones and textures leach out. As a result, it is very much a medium that you have to work together with, rather than attempting to control.

Her koi fish have become a recurring motif in her work, a constant companion as she’s navigated through new practices and developed new ideas. The fish, much like the zodiac sign of Pisces represents the constant struggle of an artist, with the two fish representing the eternal balancing act of the conscious and the unconscious in the quest for inspiration. 

Her influences are eclectic, drawing from Japanese mythological imagery, European Gothic Medieval Art, the art of the Tarot, mythicism and alchemy.

Elle has a BA in Art and Design from Ravensbourne University and has worked as a graphic artist in film and TV and is currently a Resident Artist at Art is For All.

Also featured in the exhibition is work by Household Essentials, a collective of three female artists, of which Elle is a member, who all specialise in varying mediums of ink, watercolour and paint. Their first professional collaboration was creating the artwork for the play ‘The Great Ruckus’ that debuted in the Edinburgh Fringe last summer, and have since been showing their work at various fairs including The London Illustration Fair. Izzy Tennyson’s raucous collection of menacing anthropomorphic animals and insect portraits drip with acerbic wit while children’s book illustrator, Grace Chilton’s fantastical characters tell rib-tickling stories. 

Instagram: @tennyson.studio 

Website: www.tennysonstudio.co.uk