Dragonflies

Artist | Martha Ellis

Martha Ellis' Dragonflies are inspired by the work of pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. These giant dragonflies are designed to put a smile on your face and transport you to a magical world.

The dragonfly installation celebrates both creativity and the wonder of the natural world. 

“I’ve been making lanterns and light sculptures since I was five years old,” said Martha, who grew up attending the Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival in Yorkshire, learning her craft alongside her mother and sister.

“Lantern-making became a family tradition, and I’ve been creating them for festivals, schools and theatres ever since. Each dragonfly takes around two months to create, beginning with a hand-shaped steel and willow armature before layers of tissue, fabric and light are added to build up the body."

The wings are laser-cut from acrylic, using Martha’s hand-drawn patterns to capture their luminous texture.

“They’re handmade from start to finish, the only machine element is the wings, but even those begin as drawings on my screen. The process is completely hands-on; I paint, wrap, wire and assemble everything myself.”

Sustainability sits at the heart of the build, with durable materials chosen for longevity and reusability and each piece designed so it can be repaired or re-lit rather than replaced. 

"They are made to last, just like the forest that inspires them." 

Martha Ellis