Fire at Ellen Gallagher’s Studio in Rotterdam Leads to Creative Shift
In 2004, a fire broke out at American artist Ellen Gallagher’s studio in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Fortunately, none of her paintings were damaged as she had been installing them for a show in New York at the time. However, the fire left her without a workspace for some time, forcing her to shift her creative process.
Gallagher had been working on massive Plasticine resin paintings before the fire, but the limiting conditions led her to work on a smaller scale. This shift in format ultimately led to the creation of one of her best-known bodies of work, “DeLuxe” (2004-5). This collection of 60 absurdist images was composed of vintage clippings from African American magazines, which she turned into photogravures, creating layered and rich compositions.
Today, Gallagher’s studio in Rotterdam is a sprawling space with large windows and a wooden floor. She moved to Rotterdam from the U.S. two decades ago to distance herself from the demands of the New York art scene. The building is shared among 10 core artists in a cooperative setting, although Gallagher notes that it is predominantly male.
Born in Providence, R.I., in 1965, Gallagher’s artistic practice includes painting, drawing, collage, film, and animation. Over the years, she has carefully developed her visual language, blending elements of history, humor, and horror in her works. Her recent solo exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam explored themes of marine life, the Middle Passage, and the transportation of enslaved people.
Gallagher’s work often references historical images and symbols related to race and identity. She uses processes such as collage, erasure, extraction, and revision to create thought-provoking pieces that challenge viewers to reconsider their understanding of history and culture.
Despite the challenges she has faced throughout her career, including the fire at her studio, Gallagher continues to push boundaries and explore new ideas in her art. Her resilience and dedication to her craft have solidified her reputation as a leading contemporary artist in the art world.
