This exhibition, Ellis' debut with Gallery 16 is titled Only Children, Hang Tight. Most of the artwork was made during the pandemic - not necessarily in response to it, but profoundly influenced by the experience of it. Ellis explains "Only Children, Hang Tight” was a message to kids without siblings stuck at home with their parents and no-one else to play with. But it was also really a message to anyone who finds themselves suddenly isolated.
Carson Ellis is an artist, author and illustrator of the best-selling picture books Home and Du Iz Tak? She has illustrated a number of books for kids, including The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket, and the Wildwood Chronicles by her husband, Colin Meloy. She is also the illustrator-in-residence for Colin’s band, the Decemberists, and received a Grammy nomination for the design of their 2015 LP, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.
