36" x 36" Mixed media on wood This is part of a series inspired by 100 letters written by my grandfather while he was a young soldier serving in the US Army during World War I. I never met him. All the artwork in this series bring forth the feelings, passions and ideas he wrote about, or are derived from the physicality of the stationery, handwriting, stains, etc. With the Colors (#3) references how immigrants have persevered in the darkness, after persecution or great despair, to find their way to a distant, more hopeful shore. Like my grandfather, who escaped the pogroms of Eastern Europe and then fought as a U.S. soldier in the "Great War", so many immigrants have held their commitment to America - with all its promises and pitfalls - as a deep honor and privilege. The phrase "with the colors", which was printed onto some of the US Expeditionary Forces stationary his letters were written on, is a solemn and heartfelt term for the American flag. $2375
With the Colors #2 [SOLD]
Ellen Brook2024-08-12T17:08:07-07:0018" x 24" Mixed media on wood This piece is one of a series that emerged from a set of 100 letters written by my grandfather to my grandmother while he was a young soldier serving in the US Army during World War I. I never met my grandfather. All the artwork in this series bring forth the feelings, passions and ideas he wrote about, or are derived from the materiality of the stationery, handwriting, stains, etc. With the Colors (#2) references how immigrants held their commitment and obligation as soldiers to the American army, regardless of where they were born. The phrase "with the colors", which was printed onto some of the US Expeditionary Forces stationary, is a solemn and heartfelt term used especially by soldiers when talking about the American flag. $725
Take Me Out of the Blue #5 [SOLD]
Ellen Brook2024-08-12T17:09:24-07:0020" x 20" Mixed media on wood This piece is one of a series that emerged from a set of 100 letters written by my grandfather to my grandmother while he was a young soldier serving in the US Army during World War I. I never met my grandfather. At the center of the absolute misery of war is the human being, striving to survive against both the bombarding threats and a harrowing sense of isolation. The only abiding antidote to war’s cruelties is real human connection. This truth radiates out from my grandfather’s words, including when he wrote to his beloved “Goldie”: I need to hear from you more to take “the blue” out of me. Feeling isolated and yearning to reconnect are hardly unique to war—they can occur during a global pandemic or simply everyday life. I try to reflect both the joyous dream of reuniting with a loved one as well as the “blue” -- the longing and gloom that befalls all of us now and then. $695
Take Me Out of the Blue #9 [SOLD]
Ellen Brook2024-08-02T11:06:07-07:0030" x 30" Mixed media on wood This piece is one of a series that emerged from a set of 100 letters written by my grandfather to my grandmother while he was a young soldier serving in the US Army during World War I. I never met my grandfather. At the center of the absolute misery of war is the human being, striving to survive against both the bombarding threats and a harrowing sense of isolation. The only abiding antidote to war’s cruelties is real human connection. This truth radiates out from my grandfather’s words, including when he wrote to his beloved “Goldie”: I need to hear from you more to take “the blue” out of me. Feeling isolated and yearning to reconnect are hardly unique to war—they can occur during a global pandemic or simply everyday life. I try to reflect both the joyous dream of reuniting with a loved one as well as the “blue” -- the longing and gloom that befalls all of us now and then.
What’s Above is Below III (SOLD)
Ellen Brook2016-10-16T20:50:31-07:00What's Above is Below III 42"w x 88"h