About Ellis Angel

Artist. Activist. Storyteller.

Ellis Angel is an activist artist whose work in mixed-media paper weavings and illustrations blends creativity with a deep commitment to social justice. With each piece, Ellis challenges societal norms, confronts systemic injustice, and invites viewers to reflect on the pressing issues of our time. Rooted in both history and contemporary conversations, Ellis’s work spans the worlds of protest art, cultural commentary, and the reclamation of marginalized voices.

Exploring the Intersection of Art and Activism

From shredded Constitution pages to deconstructed protest posters, Ellis’s work engages directly with political and social narratives. These intricate weavings are more than just pieces of art — they are acts of resistance and reflection, made to spark conversations about governance, identity, and human rights.

A central theme in Ellis’s work is the use of everyday materials that carry historical or political weight. Whether weaving U.S. currency into critiques of corruption or transforming torn pages of banned books into powerful symbols of intellectual freedom, Ellis reimagines traditional forms of protest and expression. Art becomes a bridge between the personal and the political, drawing attention to issues of equality, justice, and the need for systemic change.

Featured Work

Ellis’s most recognized works include:

• Article I, Section 9, Clause 8: A bold critique of the Emoluments Clause, this weaving incorporates shredded U.S. currency and the Constitution, highlighting conflicts of interest in political leadership. It serves as a protest against the manipulation of power for personal gain.

• Don’t Mourn, Organize: Created from protest posters collected during the Women’s March, this piece captures the energy of grassroots movements for gender equality and civil rights. Its bold messages, including “The Future is Feminist” and “I Can’t Keep Quiet,” speak to the resilience of women who fight for justice.

• Presidential Records (44 U.S.C. Chapter 22): This weaving, composed of toilet paper and legal texts, comments on the mishandling of presidential records, using humor and subversion to critique the lack of accountability in political leadership.

Art as a Voice for Change

Ellis Angel’s work has been featured in exhibitions and collaborations across the U.S., including partnerships with PEN America and Magic City Books for Banned Books Week and group exhibitions centered on political and social issues. Each project reflects Ellis’s belief that art has the power not only to document resistance but also to inspire it.

Whether weaving pages from The Green Book with hate group maps from the Southern Poverty Law Center, or transforming public protest into personal expression, Ellis brings a sharp eye and an activist’s heart to every piece.

Art for Ellis isn’t just an exploration of form and technique—it’s a dialogue. It’s a call to action, an invitation to reflect, and a means of reclaiming space for voices that are too often silenced.

Current Exhibitions and Collaborations

• The Censor’s Cut: Weavings for Intellectual Freedom in collaboration with PEN America and Magic City Books for Banned Books Week

• Newark Arts Festival 2024 featuring “Article I, Section 9, Clause 8” and “Presidential Records”

Background and Technique

Ellis’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the history of craft and the tradition of weaving as a subversive form of protest, particularly as an artform historically tied to women’s work. By combining materials that hold both personal and collective significance, Ellis creates pieces that deconstruct and rebuild narratives, asking viewers to look closer, question more deeply, and engage with the stories beneath the surface.

Join the Conversation

Ellis Angel’s work stands at the intersection of art and activism, challenging viewers to engage with difficult truths while celebrating the potential for change. Each piece is an invitation to rethink, reimagine, and resist.

For inquiries, collaborations, or to explore more of Ellis’s art, email ellisangel111@gmail.com or follow along on social media.

Short Bio

Ellis Angel is an activist artist specializing in mixed-media paper weavings and illustrations. Through bold, deconstructed works that blend art with activism, Ellis tackles themes of social justice, protest, and governance. With projects ranging from political paper weavings using U.S. currency and the Constitution, to protest art made from Women's March posters, Ellis's work challenges societal norms and invites viewers to engage with pressing contemporary issues. Exhibiting across the U.S., including collaborations with PEN America and Magic City Books, Ellis reclaims traditional forms to spark dialogue and inspire change.