Ellen Sørensen is an artist and musician based in Melbourne.

Born to Danish father and Kiwi mother, she was raised on a foundation of bush walks, camping trips, and Danish lunches alongside piano and violin lessons and storytelling.

‘My mum and older sister endorsed many of the stories I used to make sense of my world as a child.
I still remember episodes of rising in the morning to survey eggcups filled with sprinkles I’d left on the kitchen table the night before. Point 2 handwriting on tiny folded pieces of tissue paper let me know ‘the fairies’ were grateful for the treats I’d left for them and that they’d be back again to play in the Tupperware pools they’d found alongside.

My very patient mother and grandfather on my father’s side were both known for spending years working on elaborate embroideries. It’s something I never really thought about growing up, but now that I’m older I am beginning to see that those forms of traditional pursuits have informed my creative practice in a big way.

My father was also an avid maker. I can only think of one house we ever lived in where he didn’t have a workshop he could hide away in and make things. From an electrically functional dollhouse he made for me as a child, to having a hand in building our family home that was always a really big part of my family life growing up. These experiences undoubtedly informed and had a huge impact on how I’ve grown to value craftsmanship and the handmade.’