Artist Statement

My photographs explore a sense of wonder and belonging in the Midwest landscape. My practice is centered in wandering, discovering a deeper understanding of the land and its rhythms, and finding connection with this place I call home.

All of my photographs are produced with film and manual cameras. This practice requires chemical development in a darkroom before one can see a physical image. I embrace the soft, gritty, and grainy qualities of film, as well as the intentionality inherent in this slow form of picture-making.

Please contact me through my website to discuss print sales, commissions, or to speak to your group about my process and practice: ameeellis.com

Bio

Amee Ellis studied photography at Columbia College Chicago (BA, 1995) and occupational therapy at University of New Mexico (MOT, 2004). Her work has appeared in multiple solo and juried group exhibitions, including the Figge Art Museum and Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Her project “The Sea Beneath Our Feet” was created for Des Moines Metro Opera as part of their world-premiere production A Thousand Acres. She has participated in juried art festivals, including the Des Moines Arts Festival and Art in the Pearl in Portland, Oregon. Her photographs have been published in DSM Magazine, The Annals of Iowa, and The New Territory magazine, alongside the poetry and prose of the literature section. Amee’s current project, “This Place in My Hands,” explores relationships between people and the land. She lives in Des Moines, Iowa.