Ellice Tytler

As an artist I like to paint collections. my practice has always centred around myself and the people closest to me and through painting these small, intimate fragments of peoples lives I can explore the smallest parts of us that make us the most human, the treasured items and small constant presences that usually otherwise go unnoticed. I’m interested in how these tiny parts of human life are ultimately the things that shape us, our relationship to the people around us and the emotional landscape of our lives the most.

At the core of my work is the idea that human connection is an extension of childhood make-believe. I see adulthood as a continuation of playground games that we all once played, constantly constructing versions of ourselves, performing roles for others, and participating in shared fictions that help us understand who we are and our positioning in the wider world. My paintings explore the fine line between play and authenticity and how often they blur into one and another, examining how closeness is formed through imagination and mutual trust. Using the material sensitivity and depth of oil paint, I aim to create works that feel personal yet familiar, inviting viewers to reflect on the playful and improvised way that their inner child helps them navigate the world