I want to offer a platform where the viewer can learn more about the collection and the reason why I named it ‘Structures of the Mind’. I want the viewers to immerse themselves into my world of visionary architecture and understand the mental process behind the collection. I hope you enjoy the online exhibition.

— Glenn Ellul

ONLINE VIEWING ROOM

Structures of the Mind — is an exhibition that presents a selection of artworks by the artist Glenn Ellul.

The show will feature an exclusive solo exhibition, showcasing a series of tantalising pen drawings by this young emerging artist.

 

The artworks explore imaginative architectonic ethereal edifices, presenting intriguing, fine and meticulous graphic works which disclose the artist’s fascination for visionary architecture and appealing constructions, some of which are inspired by local monumental architecture.

The works also reflect the artist’s mind and his pursuit to reinterpret space, defined by the syntax of architecture - such as scale, shape, tectonic principles and decorative artefacts.

The exhibition is curated by Roderick Camilleri.

Works

Click on the side arrows to view detail shots

'It’s like escapism. Maybe someone can relate to any particular architecture or shape. I want the viewer to escape and to forget about the world in that moment to dive into the structure.'

— Glenn Ellul

Enquire about available works

E studio@glennellul.com

 INSTALLATION VIEWS

Frontages of Imagination

Architecture is the art of designing and building. It is mankind's relationship with the physical and spatial surroundings. Some critics describe architecture as a non-representational art form that combines both utilitarian and aesthetic ends. Manifested through structures that reveal the manifold of mankind's existences, it represents the physical and material conditions of society, its history and culture, as well as its artistic and aesthetic sensibilities. This is a reservoir of substantial meaning that provides a resourceful medium to different branches of humanity's existence. 

The lure of such an ample and multi-layered medium has since time immemorial inspired and stimulated various creatives, from eminent writers and performers to graphic designers and renowned artists. Each with their particular mode of manifestation, they generated their personal and artistic expressions. This is also the case with the young emerging Maltese artist, Glenn Ellul. His exhibition, Structures of the Mind, expresses this intriguing engagement with evocative monuments and buildings.  While illustrating a cross-section of Ellul's imaginative and whimsical designs, the collection articulates a narrative of structures informed by architecture's inspiring grammar and syntax. 

Glenn Ellul's designs disclose an interest in architectonic edifices, historical buildings, and monuments which embellish distinguished cities and squares. His singular interpretation and reinterpretation of structures explores different artistic possibilities, merging various stylistic forms by presenting distinctive constructions. These large refined and delicate pen drawings illustrate what might seem familiar with intriguing unfamiliar and remarkable characteristics. Their unique compositions bring to mind fictive contraptions or machines, or even somewhat outlandish yet appealing mobile futuristic aircrafts, which are able to drift or hover in space from one timeframe to another. These artworks can also be seen as expressions or structures of the mind, unfolding the innermost yearnings of an artist who wants to voice his thoughts and creative verve. 

Roderick Camilleri

Curator

Artist Critique

Like the work of his predecessors -Piranesi, Hubert Robert, Mario Ricci, Giovanni Paolo panini and Francois de Nome come to mind- Glenn displays immense mastery when depicting architectural landscapes. However, unlike these masters, Glenn challenges himself to go further beyond technically robust and visually stupefying capricci, instead, he withdraws into his mind’s eye and emerges with his intriguing Mind Palaces drawing upon a diverse wealth of architectural styles combined with a futuristic flair. Classical, Baroque, Deco, Brutalist architecture along with Chinoiserie-style ornament are subjected to elegant gothic principles which convert even the bulkiest of building styles into ethereal follies, beautifully laid out for us to explore. Perhaps, it is for this reason his works remain unnamed; they might be waiting for the next viewer to immerse themselves and choose a title to match whatever their eye focuses upon.  

 

Personally, this group of works evokes the bravura and sheer talent observed in Asian geometric ivory puzzle balls which not only served to subject the beholder to intrigue and marvel but also showed-off its maker’s devilish skill. As with these puzzles, one can easily compare the latticework to Glenn’s immense control over the medium, which in effect allows for an unbelievable level of minutiae to be presented. Like their makers, Glenn displays an envious level of meticulousness, clever use of negative space, a daring mind and spirit, a dizzying love for ornament and unbridled, nay, sublime creativity. The imagination found in this exhibition would serve many a developer and architect in contemporary Malta!

Authored by Mrs. Christina Thompson

 
 

Catalogue of works

 
 

About the artist

Glenn Ellul (b.1991) is a self-taught artist who has been fascinated by the intricacies of local architecture, especially monumental Baroque Buildings, from a very young age. He graduated in Graphic Design & Interactive Media with a B.A. (Hons). He participated in several collective exhibitions, design competitions, as well as collaborations; and has contributed to the production of various design joint-ventures.

Through the years, Glenn has developed his unique style by combining architectural motives and ideas derived from the decorative arts, articulated in an imaginative way by adopting a very delicate and fine approach expressed in pen designs on paper. Glenn envisions his particular artistic process as a method of self-expression and exploration. He uses his personal experiences as an important source of inspiration that informs his creative process. 

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