We asked Ellie some questions about her exhibition By Your Side, which is on view through January 26, 2025. 

You grew up in London and have mentioned that it has influenced your work. Can you tell us more about that specifically?

Last time I was home, I revisited places where I had memories of growing up. A few pieces I’ve made are a ‘love letter’ to South East London, where I lived for 10 years before moving to San Francisco.

What have you enjoyed about residing on the West Coast?

Finding a community of inspiring artists with whom I’ve built friendships.

Can you tell us about the work that will be in your upcoming show at Public Land Gallery? How will these pieces differ from the work you’ve created in the past?

This will be my first sculpture-based solo show. In 2020, I began shifting my focus to ceramic sculpture. These new pieces feel different because molding clay has given me a closer connection to my work. The sensory engagement with sculpting clay offers a freedom I don’t get with other mediums. As a self-taught ceramicist, I don’t feel restricted by traditional methods or expectations, which has allowed me to experiment and find my own path.

You are a multidisciplinary artist, working in graphic design, illustration, painting, ceramics, and more. How do you decide what to focus on at any given time?

I decide by thinking about which discipline will best communicate my ideas and connect with my audience.

You’ve worked with many different clients and brands, such as Urban Outfitters, Fred Perry, Carhartt WIP, The New York Times, and more. What would be your ideal project?

I grew up playing football and have collected team jerseys over the years. My ideal project would be to design a football (soccer) kit.

You’ve designed many t-shirts over the years. What do you enjoy about creating wearable art?

Seeing friends and strangers wear my designs. I’ll be out at a bar and bump into someone wearing one, and I love that!

What excites and inspires you right now?

Last year, I lost my home and studio in a house fire. It was a pivotal moment in my life, as we were displaced and lost nearly everything we owned. Since then, I’ve been excited to rebuild my studio and start creating again.Part of the work I’ve created for this show reflects on that experience, exploring the pieces of my life that were lost. The value of these items went beyond their material worth—they held sentiment and memories tied to places and people. For example, I had a collection of Nike Air Max 95 and Air Max Plus sneakers. Losing them led me to reflect on their connection to my identity and where I grew up. In my neighborhood, Air Max sneakers were like a subcultural uniform, which inspired me to feature them in this show.

Press Release:
Multidisciplinary artist Ellie Andrews Gonzalez is presenting her first solo sculpture exhibition, “By Your Side” at Public Land Gallery. A portion of this new body of work is a deeply personal exploration of loss, memory and renewal, influenced by a devastating house fire that destroyed her home and studio space. Many of the ceramic sculptures on display are a poignant reflection of the objects and memories that were lost, each piece serving as a reminder of the intangible value of our possessions and the resilience of the human spirit. From beloved heirlooms to sneaker and ephemera collections, Andrews Gonzalez has transformed these once-tangible objects into enduring symbols of nostalgia and absence. The value of these items was more than their material cost; they carried the weight of sentiment and memories of places and people. A selection of pieces in the exhibition also serves as a “love letter” to South East London, where Andrews Gonzalez lived for a decade before moving to San Francisco. These works subtly reflect the city’s lasting impact on her creative journey, capturing elements of her life there, and bringing the spirit of her former home into the gallery.

Ellie Andrews Gonzalez is a self-taught ceramicist whose work spans a range of mediums, including graphic design, illustration, painting, and more. She has collaborated with numerous brands, including Urban Outfitters, Fred Perry, Carhartt WIP, The New York Times, Adidas London, Lazy Oaf, Nike, Asos, and Bloomberg, on projects ranging from streetwear apparel to editorial illustration.