“BREAKING GROUND: THE ARTIST SHAPING TOMORROW”

"BREAKING GROUND:
THE ARTISTS SHAPING TOMORROW"
Interview with ELLON GIBBS

Words by Ray Anthony "Zen" Eddie
February 7, 2025

In this installment of AoD Emerging Voices, we sit down with Ellon Gibbs, a rising interdisciplinary artist whose work bridges personal introspection, communal storytelling, and environmental consciousness.
Through vivid, dynamic canvases, Gibbs explores themes of resilience, nature, and the power of collaboration.

In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into his creative process, the influence of music and storytelling on his work, and his deep-rooted belief in “moving as a village.” As he prepares for a year filled with major exhibitions, Gibbs reflects on what success means to him and how he hopes his art will inspire a renewed connection with the world around us.

A𝘰D: What values or philosophies guide your work?

Gibbs: Moving as a village guides my practice because most of me moving in my work required me to ask for directional help as far as understanding my material or knowing how to simplify my impulses to help have full focus since I do trouble with giving my excited self structure.

A𝘰D: What inspired you to pursue this path? Was there a defining moment that shaped your creative vision?

Gibbs: I grew up strictly being drawn to many forms of expression that were visual and sound-like. Consuming so much of film, music, and my surroundings led me to create a path for my language in the arts after years of being a viewer. After high school and doing independent studies, I was introduced to artists that inspired me to begin my journey, like Robert Colescott, Mark Bradford, and Wangechi Mutu. Their dedication and willingness to continuously explore opened the door for me to start making my work.

Ellon Gibbs photographed in Art Studio. Photography by Umi Patterson. Edit by John Diosinio.

A𝘰D: Can you walk us through your creative process from process to execution?

Gibbs: I start my practice with some sort of composition from Jazz, synth and ambient music to guide my worries so I can sort of verbalize them in my work. Sometimes I get into the storytelling of comedy and also study films for a directorial approach to making my paintings. I end every painting asking myself if it looks like me or not or just by asking if I’m speaking my truth.

A𝘰D: How do you overcome creative blocks?

Gibbs: I consume a lot of different material whenever I feel blocked. I feel like a blockage is just a sign for me to be present and to learn more about the things that interest me rather than me pushing myself into frustration. I have to live in order to continue my mission.

A𝘰D: What influenced your work the most?

Gibbs: I’ve been inspired by nature's ability to give exactly what we need while taking its time to create abundance. Even my worries about the treatment of nature inspired me because it’s the one thing that keeps us all functioning whether we see it or not.

A𝘰D: How has collaboration shaped your career or creative output?

Gibbs: Collaboration helps me work with less worry and more clarity.

Ellon Gibbs “Art Materials” in Art Studio. Photography by Umi Patterson. Edit by John Dionisio.

A𝘰D: What do you hope your audience feels or takes away from your work?

Gibbs: I’m more concerned with the imbalance and neglect for our surroundings. Land used to be abundant and unaffected, but these things change more and more each day, and I hope that eventually with my practice I can bring my worries to my audience and we can connect on ways to coexist and choose union for all things that exist around us.

A𝘰D: How do you define success in your craft?

Gibbs: I’ve constantly been thinking about how effective my communication is when I’m asking for help in executing ideas, and then I look towards my end result to see if I’m growing as an artist. My success is in my resilience to continuously grow and expand my language.

A𝘰D: What do you have next for yourself?

Gibbs: 2025 is pretty busy starting off with my solo show with 495 Gallery in Catskills, New York in April, followed by my solo booth with them in the upcoming Independent Art Fair in May. For the second half, I’ll be presenting work for my solo show with Europa Gallery in New York in September, and after that, we’ll be closing the year together for Nada Miami.

A𝘰D: What are you looking forward to learning next about yourself or your career?

Gibbs: I’m looking forward to collaboration with other artists and industries that align with my interests such as film, music, and agriculture. So I’m interested to see how I operate from a space of service.