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ABOUT

Ellie Zenhari started her teaching career in 2006 at Santa Monica College in the field of Photography and Graphic Design. In 2012, she joined the Art & Design Department at Cal State Dominguez Hills as full-time faculty and currently teaches photography, motion graphics, 3D animation, and interactive design classes.

Ellie has traveled and photographed around the world extensively. Her images have been exhibited in a solo exhibit
at the Angels’ Gate Cultural Center Gallery (2017, 2014), the Library Cultural Art Center at CSUDH (2015-2016), Watts Labor Committee Action Community Gallery (2015), the Louvre Museum in Paris (2015), the International Art Fair, Art Basel, Miami, Florida (2015), and Santa Monica College (2011-2012). Here work has been published in the “Special Merit Category” from Light, Space & Time Gallery in 2013, 2015, and 2017.

 

She is currently working on a collaborative project with Professor Dr. Price of Labor Studies (CSUDH) on the economic and environmental effect of automation and self-driven trucks in the Port of Los Angeles and it impacts on the local economy and the social fabric of the tightly knit port communities. 

 

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a visual storyteller, I see my images as a mirror to better understand the complex realities of the human condition and to discover intimate and “extraordinary moments” among the fleeting “ordinary moments” of both lighter and darker side of life.

 

I find black and white images particularly powerful in capturing and communicating human emotions. However, depending on the subject matter, I photograph in color, such as my most recent photo series on “Watts Now,” a forgotten community. The images are a collection of Photographs of the time-worn housing projects mingle with hand painted shop facades that are rapidly genderfying; and yet holding the dynamic nature of this very diverse community and day to day struggles as well as affirmations of resilience, progress, and hope in this underserved community.

 

I strive to remain objective and create imagery that is both aesthetically, and emotionally compelling. Yet, my intention is to invoke curiosity, compassion, and empathy from the audience and highlight the beauty in the imperfection of life and humanity. 

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