This month on Art World Women podcast, I sat down with British figurative artist Ellis King (@elliskingart) for an incredibly deep and insightful conversation, recorded live at her solo exhibition, Spilt Milk, at SQFT: Space Gallery in Marylebone, London!
🖼️ Ellis's work delves into the psychological perspectives of women, exploring the complexities of female identity, vulnerability and contemporary womanhood through figurative painting and self-portraiture.
We discuss the inspiration behind Spilt Milk, how Ellis incorporates the female gaze into her artistic practice, and how she creates inclusive and relatable representations of women while challenging traditional archetypes.
💬 We also explore the intersection of the personal and political in her work, faith, motherhood, social media and the limitations and freedoms of being a woman artist.
We also touch on how art and politics intersect, reflecting on recent controversies surrounding women's representation, bodily autonomy and consent, including Ellis's response to the SNL comedian controversy in her Substack essay, "What I Wear Is Not an Invitation," and the #IAmJaneDoe movement.
🏆 In 2025, Ellis was awarded the SQFT Gallery Exhibition Prize at the Women in Art Prize, which led to her current solo exhibition. Her accolades also include being selected as one of the Arts to Hearts Project's 100 Emerging Artists in 2024 and appearing on Sky Arts' Portrait Artist of the Year in 2025.
📍 Visit Spilt Milk - SQFT: Space Gallery, 95 Bell Street, Marylebone, London📅 On view until 5 November 2026
Make sure to follow Ellis:
🌐 https://ellisking.co.uk/spiltmilk
Instagram: @elliskingart
🎥 Watch the full video interview on YouTube
⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS
🎨 00:00–06:36 | Childhood & Earliest Art Memories
🖌️ 06:36–11:15 | Ellis King's Painting Process & Approach to Self-Portraiture
🖼️ 11:15–17:55 | Inside Spilt Milk: Ellis King's Solo Exhibition
👩🎨 17:55–20:17 | Challenging Traditional Representations of Women in Art
✨ 20:17–22:50 | Faith in Art
🤱 22:50–24:08 | Motherhood in Art
👁️ 24:08–29:53 | The Female Gaze & What I Wear Is Not an Invitation: Responding to an SNL Comedian
⚖️ 29:53–34:14 | Limitations & Freedoms of Being a Woman Artist
📱 34:14–35:15 | Navigating Social Media as a Woman & Artist
💪 35:15–38:07 | The Power of Women on Social Media & #IAmJaneDoe
🌍 38:07–40:49 | What Would Ellis Change About the Art World?
🚀 40:50–42:28 | Ellis King's Future Plans, Ambitions & Projects
🎙️ PRODUCTION CREDITS
🎤 Hosted and co-produced by Zoë Goetzmann (@byzoesera)
🎬 Co-produced and filmed by Rachel Anderson (@rachel_artandjoy)
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