Ella van der Straaten — UK New Artists

Ella van der Straaten is a British artist and 2022 Fine Art Graduate from NTU. Born and raised in Basildon Essex. With a worldview shaped by growing up in what the Echo News describes as 'the worst place to live in the county', she learnt to look inward to understand her true feelings about growing up on a council estate.

The artist finds beauty in the everyday, continuously collecting photographs of moments, graffiti and others' disregarded belongings as inspiration for my work. Seeking out remnants of humanity that people leave behind in order to continuously develop her relationship with the spirit of the estate.

Using expressive and creamy brushstrokes, Ella intends to insert an element of herself into every painting, subtly making the presence of the maker visible in the work. The artist is currently experimenting with ways to change how audiences interact with paintings.

UKNA Projects:

Robert Walters Group UK New Artist of the Year Award 2022