Contextual Statement
Elena (b. 1998) is a non-binary artist born in Edinburgh, living and working in London. After graduating with a First Class Honours from Camberwell College of Art Sculpture in 2019, Elena later went on to graduate from the Royal College of Art Sculpture Programme in 2023.
Elena's practice spans a wide variety of ideas and methods however they work predominantly in sculpture and jewellery, looking at themes relating to Gender, Identity Politics and Queer Theory. A narrative undercurrent often runs through their work, which they use as a framework for exploring a greater message or school of thought. Story-telling through objects is key to Elena's practice.
Looking at the world through the lens of abjection, Elena uses this as tool for exploring their human experience. Whether it be through art objects or wearables, the bodily and the repulsive become excellent tools for exploring the dysphoric nature of the human condition.
Elena is represented by CB-Art Group.
CV
Education
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design - 2015-16 - Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
BA (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture - First Class - 2016-19 - Camberwell College of Arts, UAL
MA Sculpture - 2021-23 - Royal College of Art
Awards
The Gilbert Bayes Award in association with the Royal College of Art Sculpture Programme
Press
'The Person Behind the Pearls - Is Biography Important When Understanding Queer Jewellery?', by Charlotte Russell for CURRENT OBSESSION
2025
Ritual, SHAM Gallery presents at Collect Art Fair, Somerset House, London
The Floor is Lava, Bow Arts, London
Cure3, Bonhams, London
Superstitious, Madre, Margate
2024
To Her, a Memoir, Noho Venues, London
Does Anything Else Under Heaven Really Matter, D Contemporary, London
Fuego de Tierra (EARTH FIRE), ALICE BLACK, London
Charming, SHAM Gallery presents at Collect Art Fair, Somerset House, London
Soft & Hard : Beyond Recognition and Queer Coding, The Art House, Wakefield
2023
The Witch's Cave, Plop Residency, London
Across-Over-Beyond, Space Station Sixty-Five, London
RCA 2023 Show, Truman Brewery, London
Raise Love by One Inch, The Crypt Gallery, London
Soft & Hard : Beyond Recognition and Queer Coding, Bermondsey Project Space, London
2022
RCA WIP Show, Online
We Won't Stop Showing, Set Woolwich, London
Too Much Fruit on the Cake, The Take Courage Gallery, London
Wildstone Publication, in collaboration with The Poorhouse Reading Rooms, Van Gogh House, Tate Archives and the Freud Museum
2020
Artfem 'Natura', International Biennial of Macau, Albergue SCM, Macau
Re-staging of 'Keep eating actual food so you don't get saccharin shits', 50m, London,
What Is She, Ex-Baldessarre, Bedford & Big Shop Friday, Milton Keynes
2019
Camberwell College of Art Degree Show 2019, Camberwell College of Art, Camberwell, London
Croaky Throat, Take Courage Gallery, New Cross, London
TBC, Copeland Gallery, London
2018
Liminal Environments, The Silver Building, Silvertown, London
The Two Women Who Found Freedom (Performance), Camberwell College of Art (Wilson Road), Camberwell, London
Valkyries Collective, hARTslane Gallery, New Cross, London
SPACE HONEY, Safehouse 1, Peckham, London
Bad Art Presents: Touch Me Baby, Bone & Pearl Studios, London
Over Capacity, CPG London, London
2017
In the Making, AMP Studios, London
Mylifeisover101, London
First Year Fine Art – Final Show, Camberwell College of Art, London
Reduced to Clear, Camberwell College of Art, London
2016
How to Eat a Grapefruit, The Crypt, Camberwell, London
CCW Foundation Diploma Final Show, Camberwell College of Art (Wilson Road), London