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© Milou Dijkstal
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© Ottilie Dijkstal
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Ellen van der Woude

Ellen van der Woude Ceramicist
Contact
English, French, Dutch, German
Hours:
By appointment only
Phone:
+352 661333830
© All rights reserved

When the magic happens

  • • Ellen is inspired by the sea and submarine sea life
  • • Her work seeks to draw attention to the issue of marine pollution
  • • Before becoming a ceramicist, she studied law

Ellen van der Woude became an artisan by accident. Though she graduated in law from a Dutch university, she has never stopped following her dream of doing something creative. She had been painting since childhood and was looking for other ways to express herself. “A friend asked me to join her on a ceramics course, which I did just to try, but then the magic happened. I became fascinated by this rough material and working with it has become my passion.” Challenging the boundaries of clay and porcelain, she creates delicate, imaginative sculptures reminiscent of sea anemones, sea urchins and coral. Each has its own texture and is decorated with small elements, all made individually by hand.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Ellen van der Woude
  • © Ellen van der Woude
  • © Ellen van der Woude
  • © Ellen van der Woude
Photo: © Ellen van der Woude
Big Smile

The Big Smile series was created after a long dark winter. Longing for light and sunshine, Ellen wanted to create something full of happiness and energy, something to make the viewer smile and remind them of the good things in life.

Length 42 cm
Width 40 cm
Height 21 cm

Photo: © Ellen van der Woude
Blue butterfly

Nature is a recurring theme in Ellen’s work. Butterflies are a breathtaking example of the wonders of nature. A blue butterfly is believed to symbolise joy, beauty and luck and is considered to be a wish granter.

Length 49 cm
Width 44 cm
Height 20 cm

Photo: © Ellen van der Woude
Vulnerability

This piece dates from a tough time in Ellen’s life. She became aware that by building a protective wall around yourself, you’re unable to live a wholesome life. You shouldn't keep your heart safe, but be vulnerable to emotions, love and happiness.

Length 48 cm
Width 38 cm
Height 19 cm

Photo: © Ellen van der Woude
A prickly Package

This is a prickly piece, not only due to its literally prickly interior, but also due to the complexity of its creation. All the thin, spike-like pieces were individually fashioned by hand and attached on the inside one by one.

Diameter 37 cm
Height 20 cm

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