Hem X Ellen Pong: At first thought

Tell us how 'Intrusive Thoughts' came to life.

Stephen: It was all Ellen! Ellen pitched several ideas to me and I provided only a bit of feedback. It was an interesting challenge to think about the commercial considerations that you don’t necessarily have to consider in a gallery setting.

Ellen: I don’t typically make objects in multiples. I needed to think of something that could be made in a more streamlined way than how I typically work. There’s a lot you can’t control with ceramics, but I definitely still wanted there to be handmade, ceramic elements in the piece. I also wanted the final product to be actually useful, but I have an uncontrollable contrarian impulse to thwart or complicate utility in some way. The mirror is partially obscured by the ceramic tile, and becomes less useful as a mirror the more it’s used as a magnet board. I like that the tile is kind of annoying and in-the-way. It’s active rather than just decorative; a wall flower that looks back.

What is the story behind 'Ducks' and 'Boot'.

Ellen: The reliefs really did come from intrusive thoughts. I like the way duck families cross the street together in a single-file line, but I worry about them getting hit by a car or something. Maybe if they stood on each other’s shoulders, they’d be more visible. Also, I’ve been nannying a girl in elementary school for the past few years and at play dates, there’s always shoes thrown all over the floor. Objects have a way of ending up in weird places when kids are involved, but it’s kind of interesting because then you start to see them in a decontextualized way. 

“I want the piece to have a presence, but not be imposing. I’d like it to become a part of its environment. I would love for them to be useful and a small source of delight in people’s everyday lives”

You used ceramics, steel, and plywood in the piece. Do you have a special connection to these materials? 

Ellen: I feel most comfortable working with clay. Everything I make starts with clay in some way, even if it’s not present in the final piece. But I don’t limit myself to working within ceramics. I work out of a communal studio, where everyone is using different materials. I’m always thinking of how it could make sense to incorporate ceramics with wood, metal, glass, etc., and not in a way that feels forced.

Ellen, You've worked with Superhouse before. Tell us about your history together.

I first showed with Superhouse in 2021, in the Supergroup 2 show. I had my first solo show with them in November 2022. Stephen’s been a long-time supporter of my work. He extends a lot of trust in our collaborations, which I’m grateful for. It’s an easy relationship. We’ve worked together on a number of projects over the past few years, and it’s been exciting to grow alongside the gallery, especially as they settle into their new space.

Why was Ellen the perfect fit for this project, Stephen?

Stephen Markos: Ellen’s whimsical or irreverent imagery often belies an underlying intellectualism. I thought that her conceptual rigor and playful results would be the perfect match for the Hem X brand.

Superhouse just opened a new gallery space. What can we expect to see from you in the next few years?

Stephen: Scale! Our former space was just 200 square feet. We are excited about the possibility of showing larger-scale work and increasing our programming with events.

“Intrusive Thoughts is active rather than just decorative; a wall flower that looks back.”

In which environment do you see 'Intrusive Thoughts'?

Ellen: I envisioned the mirror for an intimate, well-used space: a kitchen, entryway, bedroom, etc. I want it to have a presence, but not be imposing. I’d like it to become a part of its environment. I would love for them to be useful and a small source of delight in people’s everyday lives.