Emerging from a peaceful Greenwich Village workspace, a captivating new ceramic collection titled “Army of Beings” is drawing attention across the contemporary art world. Crafted by New York artist Ellen Colcord, these mystical sculptures build a bridge between ancient ceramic traditions and the deeper, unseen dimensions of human spirituality.

An Intuitive Approach to Ceramic Creation

Striking a delicate balance between old-world aesthetics and modern sensibility, Colcord’s pieces carry a heavy symbolic and emotional weight. Rather than relying on rigid calculations, she embraces an intuitive workflow known as “spontaneous meditation,” favoring fast, uncalculated creation over meticulous blueprints.

In this workflow, the clay acts as an active collaborator. The material preserves the “memory of touch,” capturing fleeting moments of subconscious awareness with raw authenticity. Rather than viewing her finished works as static items she simply builds, Colcord treats them as independent entities or “visitors” that she simultaneously guides and follows.

From Corporate Design to Sacred Art

This spiritually resonant body of work has roots in a significant life change made in 1988, when Colcord walked away from a successful career at a New York City design agency to pursue fine art full-time. That pivot launched a rich educational and creative voyage spanning international borders:

• Italian Inspiration: During her time in Siena, Italy, she studied the 13th-century masterpieces of Duccio di Buoninsegna, drawing influence from the spiritual “golden sphere” motif. She also honed her skills at the Academia di Belle Arte in Urbino.
• Academic Foundations: Her formal background includes a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art from New York University, complemented by a Master’s degree in Art and Religion from Yale University Divinity School.

Gateways to Transcendence

While Colcord explores diverse creative outlets—ranging from film and collage to published books—clay stays at the heart of her visceral, direct expression.

As modern art presses forward in its examination of profound meaning and material boundaries, the “Army of Beings” stands out as a meaningful achievement. These tactile figures invite viewers into moments of quiet reflection, acting as tangible doorways to heavenly realms while reflecting humanity’s timeless desire for the sacred.