Feature Undiscovered Artist Ellen Bodin

A life-long dream come true for a local gifted artist

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Feature: Undiscovered Artist Ellen Bodin

A very touching email reached us at the Leeds Guide office a couple of weeks ago. It was from a woman called Ruth, who is an artist and works in a cafe in nearby Adel.

“Working in a café, I meet a variety of people,” wrote Ruth. One interesting character she got talking to was Dr Bodin, who “at an old age, had one remaining ambition in his life”. Dr Bodin wanted to put on an art exhibition for his wife, Ellen, who for the past 50 years has been painting a collection that has been “unjustly locked away in the garage, gathering dust”.

Ellen was born in Glasgow and attended the Glasgow School of Art between 1948 and 1953. Her work is vibrant and moving and her attention to detail is exceptional. Ruth was fascinated by the story and says that, “as an artist myself, I was utterly overwhelmed at the exceptional standard of her work”.

And Ruth isn’t the only one to be impressed with Ellen Bodin’s work: “Recently, we had a valuer come to view the artwork and he too, was astounded, and feels the work should be auctioned in London,” she says.

Before the work goes off to auction, Ruth helped organise an exhibition in Hazel’s Cafe, on Otley Road. It took place on Sunday 25th of July (which coincided with Ellen’s birthday). “Since first setting my eyes on her work, I too have wanted to put on an art exhibition of her work as I believe that it must be shown to the wider public.”

According to Ruth, Ellen now spends all her time at home and is losing her sight, but is enjoying the new-found attention and wide-spread admiration of her work.

After the exhibition, Ruth wrote to us again to say it had been “a great success”. She added that Ellen turned up to see everyone admiring her work, “so it was a good day…”

Hazel’s Cafe Bistro, 429 Otley Road, Leeds, LS16 6AJ, 0113 267 2671

Posted on Tuesday 3rd August 2010
SH

You are in: Art » Feature »Undiscovered Artist Ellen Bodin