Ellen José facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ellen José
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| Born | 1951 Cairns, Queensland, Australia
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| Died | (aged 66) |
Ellen José (born 1951, died 2017) was an amazing Australian artist and photographer. She was a Torres Strait Islander person, meaning her family came from islands like Murray, Darnley, and Horn. Ellen lived in Melbourne with her husband, Joseph Toscano. She used her art to share stories and promote understanding between different cultures.
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Ellen José's Journey in Art and Education
Ellen José studied art and education to become an artist and teacher. In 1976, she earned a Certificate of Applied Art in Brisbane. She then moved to Melbourne and completed a Diploma of Fine Art in 1978. The next year, she also got a Diploma of Education.
After finishing her studies, Ellen worked to help Aboriginal people with their education. She also taught at universities like Monash University and Deakin University. In 1996, she joined the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council. This group helps support Indigenous artists.
Her Amazing Artworks and Exhibitions
Ellen José created many beautiful photographs and prints. Her art is displayed in important places like the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria. You can also find her work in the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Australian War Memorial. Many other collections also have her art.
Ellen had about sixteen solo art shows, with ten of them at William Mora Galleries. In 1986, she showed her photos in a special exhibition for NAIDOC Week. She also designed unique logos and posters for the Australian Anarchist Centenary Celebrations in Melbourne.
In 1988, her photographs were part of an exhibition called Inside Black Australia. This show traveled all around Australia.
In the Balance Animation
In 1993, Ellen worked with Marshall White on a short animated video called In the Balance. This video used images and music from Ellen's Indigenous background. It was one of the first times an Indigenous artist used digital animation for their art.
Tanderrum Sculpture
Ellen also created sculptures. Her 1997 sculpture, Tanderrum, is located in the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park. This artwork was repaired and looked after in 2008.
Documenting History with Photography
From 2002, Ellen attended the yearly anniversary of the Eureka Rebellion in Ballarat. She took many photos of these important events. In 2008, Ellen's art was shown in an exhibition of modern Indigenous art at the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne. She was also a photographer and committee member for the Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner Commemoration Committee.
Ellen José's Lasting Legacy
After Ellen José passed away, the Ellen José Memorial Foundation was started in 2018. This foundation helps to continue her important work. Ellen wanted to encourage understanding between different cultures and support young female artists.
Ellen José Student Reconciliation Awards
Since 2018, the Ellen José Student Reconciliation Awards have been given to students in Bayside primary and secondary schools. These awards help young people learn about reconciliation through art and writing. Students are asked to show "What Reconciliation means through their eyes" in their artwork or writing.
Ellen José Art Award for Young Women
In 2022, the first Ellen José Art Award for Young Women was held. This award happens every three years and is a team effort between the Ellen José Memorial Foundation and Bayside City Council. It helps to support young female artists (aged 18–35) at an important time in their careers.
