Creating a live Ellen Rock experience has always been an idea I have envisioned – a place to tell the story of print in an immersive, artistic setting!

Considering what the world has gone through in the past months, I really felt that now is the time to open Ellen Rock Pop-up Shop and bring back together a community setting where we can connect.

 

Located in the heart of Soho, 48 Poland Street is an incredible location!

Step inside to #ERWORLD a retail experience that invites you to experience an immersive exhibition of my universal print language.

The shop will feature the release of my SS21 ‘HER HANDS’ collection, which celebrates female empowerment through friendship, as well as my connection with JWDC, a women’s cooperative in Nepal empowering Maithil women.

 

The shop will become a space for online and physical events from 10AM to 8PM during the 22nd to the 29th of April, including print demonstrations, film screenings, interviews, customisable Ellen Rock signature pieces and much more.

 

I am so excited to share with you this expansion into activating a space for storytelling, friendship and applying my prints onto shoppable products.

I am hopeful to welcome you and grow this community! See you there!

 

CLICK HERE to book your slot!

Being part of the WOW Festival Has been a truly special opportunity for me, as I had the chance to do what really keeps me going – to connect with powerful women all around the world. 

 

So, I was prepared with two events, the former being live painting on IGTV with master artisans from JWDC. What made this event even more special was that it represented their first time being streamed live on social media. Madumallah, Selo and I immersed ourselves into the process of painting, as well as began discussing on hand-craft, the idea of daily cycles and female empowerment.

 

 

The second event consisted of an on-line Mural Workshop, with participants from both the UK and Nepal. I was delighted to be presented with the opportunity of bridging communities far away from each other through an artistic experience. The idea behind the workshop was to create a mural through hand crafted symbols. 

 

 

I feel extremely lucky to have been part of WOW Festival, as it conveyed a space where I could self express and promote issues I really believe in. Finally, this was another proof for me that, when women unite – even online – great things come to life, making me even more excited for live meetings!

As part of a group of artists represented by Fashion Revolution’s Fashion Open Studio, I will be doing a virtual screening of a short art documentary exploring the textile creation behind ‘HER HANDS’ Print Story and Ellen Rock’s 2021 Collection this upcoming Fashion Revolution Week on the 21st of April.

 

 

The film will portray a story of collaboration built on dialogue of signature shapes and symbols integrated with ancient Mithila traditions, resulting in a collection that vividly illustrates the connection of ‘her hands’ between London and Janakpur Women’s Development Centre in Kuwa Village, Nepal.

 

 

The documentary will be available on Fashion Revolution’s Youtube channel. For more information on screening schedule and to register your interest, head over to Fashion Open Studio site!

 

LINO LOVIN’

Over the summer I was selected by The Koppel Project Campus to design and deliver a 6 week course as the resident print tutor.

Of course, this summer proved difficult and I had to down size the original plan delivering to smaller groups.

The first workshop I delivered was in Lino printing. One of my favourite mediums to print in! I was joined by a handful of my favourite women in the world and led us through a meditative creating space which resulted in bright colourful pieces, steaming tea and wonderful conversations.

 

Next we delivered a lively and print filled creative screen printing workshop, exploring symbols and shapes of all sizes and scales.

Using the amazing Permaset eco-friendly inks, the results were personal to each participant through their choice of colour and form.

 

 

Hopefully I will be able to re-launch my workshop series in real life soon!

WHY NOW X ELLEN ROCK 

 

WHY NOW approached ER to feature her as a designer in their ‘UP NEXT’ Series. 

 

a new platform which tells personal, powerful, and positive stories

 

Featuring great british artists such as… Grayson Perry, Tracy Emin, David Bailey, Zandra Rhodes alongside bright catalysts on the art scene; shout out to Rebecca Gilpin (who recommended me for the feature!) , Adebayo Bolaji and Koby Martin. 

 

We shot the film over 2 days and utilised the building i’m currently based in; the old Central Saint Martins Building with LOTS of unused rooms and long bridge spaces to roll out prints in, an empty haven of creativity being filled with musicians, artists and makers. 

 

BTS: A peek inside and behind the scenes! 

 

The video also featured a set I created from my printed backdrops and painted live! I cut out card shapes, hung long paper rolls and created wooden set pieces. I wanted to step into another world for the day. 

 

I loved having the opportunity to revisit my journey so far and the interview process allowed me to explore new manifestations and ideas. 

 

The live painting and printing encouraged me to view my prints as infinite objects stretching out without purpose and be fully creative. 

 

In the episode which you can find on my homepage I talk about all things print, global collaborations and what motivates me to create, including the female muses in my life who led the way; my mother, my grandmother and my younger sisters. 

 

The final cut narrates a playful story, including some of my signature graphics which were animated by the team at WN. 

 

A huge thankyou to the team at WhyNow for featuring me!