Ellie Sophia

The Eve of Knowledge 

Originally part of the Religion Spirituality and the Arts Symposium, "The Eve of Knowledge" has toured Indianapolis area since April 2018.  Follow me on Social Media to keep up with the schedule, or inquire about purchasing your own prints. 

The mission of the Religion Spirituality and the Arts Symposium is to bring people together from diverse artistic disciplines, practices and religious/spiritual perspectives. The program which started in 2014, was the vision of director Rabbi Sandy Sasso, who wanted a way to encourage the sacred tradition of art based on scripture. I was among the artist chosen to participate in the program's sixth round, with focus on the creation story,

Each individual student selected was asked to take what they had learned in class and use it to inspire their own unique art. For myself, studying the creation story took on new life when I began to envision Eve not partaking from a tree, but instead as a tree.

I imagined Eve was a woman whose wisdom ran deep like roots, her strength stood fixed with resolve, and her fruit populated the earth. I realized that seeing the first woman as anything less is our curse. Instead, I chose to see her as the root of all wisdom. Let this be the eve of a new understanding: women didn’t take from the tree of knowledge, we are the tree of knowledge.

Paw Prints 

Paw Prints is a whimsical show, honoring how beautiful our beloved pets truly are. It highlights my artistic pet photography, and is guaranteed to make you smile. To see when Paw Prints will be displayed in your neighborhood, check out the 2019-2020 schedule below:

March 2019 - Hubbard and Cravens / Meridian Kessler

April 2019 - Butl"rrr" Bark / Butler Tarkington

May 2019 - Nine Lives Cat Cafe / Fountain Square

June 2019 - Foundry Provisions / Herron Morton

July - Aug 2019 - Bow Wow Meow Boutique / Fountain Square

Sep 2019 - Dry Bones Mud House / Downtown

Oct - Dec 2019 - Bow Wow Meow Boutique / Fountain Square

Jan 2020 - Greater Ice Cream / Butler Tarkington

Permanent Installations at Butler Bark / Bow Wow Meow

Out of Many: One Community

“It’s easy to blame, hate and fear those you don’t know, but if I’m the face you see when you hear intolerance, does it change the meaning for you?”

As I wrote those words on my social media page in the Fall of 2016, it was more of a plea than a question. As a Mexican American woman I was becoming increasingly fearful of the negativity I was encountering online. I put faith in the idea that exposing my heart, so others could relate to me personally, would help them gain compassion. It’s an idea that sometimes leaves me vulnerable, but ultimately led to this project. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable is scary, but so is change. Change rarely occurs without a major catalyst pushing you to feel uncomfortable in what once felt normal. I believe the current, tumultuous climate of our nation is that type of catalyst; a unique opportunity for us to challenge ourselves with what it means to be a community.

As a photographer, I believe in the power of images. I have the unique privilege of creating something that captures a moment in time, and hopefully impacts its viewer in a meaningful way. “Out of Many: One Community” was born out of my need to create something positive, during a time I felt my most discouraged. My sincere desire is that it encourages our community to stop and see each other; to pause long enough to reflect on something new, and be impacted by someone different. Some of the participants may look like you and believe like you, others may challenge you. My hope is that it leads you to an open heart.

Sixteen Indianapolis neighbors volunteered to make themselves vulnerable, to give you the opportunity to know them. Their ages range from 7 to 89, from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. All of them with a unique word to share. One word, that above all else introduces who they are. I continue to put faith in the idea that exposing one’s heart, so others can relate personally, creates compassion. Ultimately, though we are many, we are all bound together as one community.