Ellen Giggenbach
"With its luminous, piercing eyes, the New Zealand Ruru is one of the region’s favorite and most iconic native birds. Its melancholic call delighted the artist, inspiring a colorful, geometric tribute that evokes its piercing call, ringing across the bay at night."
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Ellen's Bio
Ellen Giggenbach was born in Bavaria, Germany. She now lives in the seaside village of Eastbourne
in New Zealand. After studying Graphic Art in Vienna for 2 years, she went on to receive a New
Zealand Diploma with Distinction in Design. After several years as a successful freelance illustrator,
Ellen has realised her dream of opening her own retail outlet.
For 4 years, her store“ ELLEN G” in
Petone has been selling her prints, homewares and paper products all featuring her designs. Her art
works are inspired by traditional European folk art, her unique natural environment and love of the
distinctive colours and forms of mid century illustration and design. Each piece starts its life as an
idea only. Piece by piece it grows like a puzzle, layers are added till even one more element would
upset a carefully crafted balance of shape and colour. Ellen’s art works are unashamedly decorative
and joyful. Vibrant yet sophisticated, intuitive yet precise.
