Smoke And Mirrors... And Also Sunglasses

Size:28 x 34 in.

Lee Ellis’s Smoke and Mirrors... and also Sunglasses is a striking contemporary portrait that encapsulates the artist’s raw and expressive style. Measuring 24" x 30", the painting presents a side profile of a figure rendered in bold, gestural strokes of charcoal and paint. The subject’s strong features are accentuated by deep contrast, with textured shading lending an almost sculptural quality to the face. Their oversized sunglasses, depicted in stark white, add an air of mystery, while a cigarette, delicately perched between their lips, introduces an element of effortless cool. The mustard-yellow background offers a sharp contrast to the monochrome figure, infusing the composition with a sense of energy and modernity.

Ellis, a British multimedia artist based in Bristol, is known for his ability to blend dark subject matter with bold, arresting colour palettes. His work is deeply expressive, often exploring themes of identity, anxiety, and emotion through abstraction and distortion. By using a mixture of oils, spray paint, and charcoals, he continuously experiments with new techniques, pushing the boundaries of contemporary portraiture. Smoke and Mirrors... and also Sunglasses exemplifies his unique approach, balancing raw intensity with a refined sense of composition and colour harmony.