Bio
Ellen Jones is a writer, artist, and therapist based in Wichita, Kansas. She graduated from the Friends University Marriage and Family Therapy program in 2023. Prior to becoming a therapist, she worked as a writer and creative producer. Her previous creative endeavors include creating and directing SONG OF MYSELVES at Fisch Haus in 2019, directing and writing multiple short films, and collaborating on a variety of experiential local art.
Artist Statement
In "Shadow Work," I explore the complexities of human experience through a series of giclée prints created from scanographs of well-worn and torn clothing material. Drawing inspiration from Carl Jung’s concept of the shadow—the unconscious aspects of the self—I aim to bring these often stifled emotions to light. Each piece reflects a common struggle, transforming raw feelings of grief, anger, and nostalgia into visual narratives.
The shadows I capture serve as metaphors for the experiences we often hide or sublimate due to the pain of their unfolding. Subtitles such as “The unbearable grief of missing your last chance to say goodbye” and “The guilt of succeeding where your parents failed” invite viewers to confront their own shadows, revealing the shared nature of our journeys. Through this work, I hope to foster a dialogue about our collective unconscious, encouraging introspection and healing. In embracing the shadows, we can begin to understand ourselves more fully, recognizing that our vulnerabilities and experiences connect us all.
Images Copyright of the Artist
Shadow One, or the unbearable grief of missing your last chance to say goodbye.
Shadow Two, or your righteous and unquenchable anger.
Shadows Three, or the memories that only revisit you at 2AM, triptych
Shadows Three, or the memories that only revisit you at 2AM, triptych
Shadows Three, or the memories that only revisit you at 2AM, triptych
Shadow Four, or the shame of realizing your mistake twenty years too late
Shadow Five, or the guilt of succeeding where your parents failed
Shadow Six, or your nervousness around being truly perceived
Shadow Seven, or the bitter, infuriating pill of never having enough time with anything or anyone you love
Shadow Eight, or your lingering embarrassment from having once been thirteen years old
Shadow Nine, or the awe and powerlessness of you ever having existed at all
