Ellis Ware is an Austin-based multimedia artist and former DJ. After graduating from law school in 2014 and working in the criminal defense field, he transitioned to a professional DJ career for four years, during which he also explored his passion for creating visual art. Over the past two years, Ware has been formally honing his artistic skills, developing a strong connection with sculpture as a primary medium of expression. His work was recently featured in the Student Juried Exhibition at St. Edward’s University in 2024.
Artist Statement
As an abstract multimedia artist, my work delves into the intricate interplay of time, identity, and the human experience. Through both 2D painting and 3D sculpture, I engage with the fourth dimension—time—allowing my art to mimic nature’s course and life itself. My background as a DJ and passion for music informs my work, because the relationship between music and time are inextricably intertwined.
I am drawn to abstraction for its capacity to express complex emotions and evoke universal truths, moving beyond the confines of reality. Influenced by artists such as Donald Judd, Sean Scully, and Sol LeWitt, I find timelessness in minimalist forms. My fascination with the ephemeral is expressed through the use of rust and organic materials, and weathered textures reminiscent of dilapidated walls—choices that embrace subtlety, simplicity, and a respect for memento mori.
In my work, I aim to invite viewers into a dialogue about the transient nature of existence, celebrating the elegance found in impermanence and exploring the profound layers of identity that shape our shared human experience.