Ellie Kaufmann
Good Taste
1 - 23 March 2025
OPENING/MEET THE ARTIST Saturday 1 March, 11am – 5pm ALL WELCOME
MEET THE ARTIST Saturday 8 March, 11am – 2pm and and ARTIST TALK at 1pm
Kaufmann’s work draws inspiration from the adage, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Her work is a vibrant exploration of the overlooked and the mundane, breathing new life into objects and scenes often dismissed as obsolete or kitsch. Through her expressive use of warm, complementary colour schemes and intense lighting, Kaufmann captures the essence of discarded artefacts —tyre swans, funny stickers, vintage cars and rock and roll paraphernalia — elevating them beyond their neglected status.
Kaufmann’s oil paintings are a celebration of the unexpected beauty found in everyday surroundings. Her paintings evoke a sense of familiarity and humour, inviting viewers to reconsider their perceptions of novelty and tackiness. By transforming these elements into subjects of art, she challenges conventional notions of value and worth, emphasizing the intrinsic beauty and historical significance embedded within such objects.
Kaufmann tells stories of forgotten treasures, encouraging a dialogue between past and present. Her work not only highlights the artistry in everyday life but also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of material possessions. Through her art, Ellie Kaufmann continues to redefine the concept of beauty, urging us to find wonder in the seemingly mundane corners of our world.
I begin my creative process with photography, capturing everyday moments in my neighbourhood and home. These photos serve as my starting point. After that, I like to sketch additional objects to make the scenes more interesting. I often browse Facebook Marketplace for inspiration & artefacts that I can include in my work. This blend of photography and sketching helps me create vibrant & engaging compositions.
What techniques do you use?
To create I use a process of many techniques including: photography, sketching, collage, experimenting on my ipad with colours/compositions, oil painting and build frames by hand using rescued materials.
Who are your influences?
Howard Arkley, Wayne Thiebaud, Reg Mombassa, Peter Blake, Eric White.
Artist Biography
Ellie Kaufmann is a painter currently living in Captains Flat, NSW. Kaufmann’s artworks deal with a reflection of everyday mundane life exploring the theme of ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’ These works characterise and celebrate; a stockpiled suburbia, maximalist interiors, out-dated exteriors, meaningless collections, fantastic trash or even objects that are no longer useful but kept for aesthetic decor or to spark some nostalgic joy. Documenting snippets of her life and neighbourhood of Captains Flat, Kaufmann’s work also investigates light and colours within her residential domain, her work can be described as Australiana with kitsch and pop art colours being a repeated theme throughout the works.
