Emerging from a quiet Greenwich Village workshop, a striking new collection of ceramic works titled “Army of Beings” is drawing attention across the contemporary art scene. Crafted by New York-based artist Ellen Colcord, these mystical sculptures serve as a visual bridge connecting the primordial material of clay with profound spiritual dimensions.

Spontaneous Creation and the Memory of Touch

Combining ancient and contemporary aesthetic elements, Colcord’s sculptures resonate with heavy symbolic and emotional weight. Rather than relying on rigid preparation, she employs a rapid, intuitive practice known as “spontaneous meditation” that favors swift execution above careful calculation.

In this workflow, the clay acts as an active collaborator, holding the “memory of touch” and authentically preserving fleeting moments of subconscious realization. Rather than treating her works merely as static objects she builds, Colcord views them as autonomous “visitors” that she simultaneously guides and accompanies.

From Design Professional to Spiritual Sculptor

This spiritual body of work stems from a pivotal life change in 1988, when Colcord walked away from a successful career at a New York City design firm to pursue fine art full-time. That bold move initiated a rich educational and creative voyage spanning international borders:

• Italian Inspiration: During her time in Siena, Italy, she examined the 13th-century creations of master Duccio di Buoninsegna, finding inspiration in his use of the spiritual “golden sphere.” She also sharpened her craft at the Academia di Belle Arte in Urbino.
• Academic Foundations: Her credentials include a Master’s degree in Studio Art from New York University alongside a Master’s in Art and Religion from Yale University Divinity School.

Gateways to Transcendence

While her broader artistic output spans film, collage, and books, clay stands out as her essential medium for immediate, tactile communication.

As modern art investigates new avenues of deep meaning and material boundaries, the “Army of Beings” stands as a notable addition. These clay figures invite viewers into profound contemplation, acting as tangible doorways to heavenly realms while reflecting humanity’s timeless search for the divine.