About

Ella K. Hickford is a contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand-born artist and photographer based in Christchurch, Te Wāi Pounamu. Her practice is deeply rooted in her profound connection to the environment and its complex histories, particularly those of Ōtautahi Christchurch and her childhood home in Te Wāi Pounamu Westland. Hickford's work serves as a powerful socio-documentary exploration of the intricate relationship between people, place, and environmental impact.

Hickford's immersive landscape photographs primarily focus on the lasting effects of colonisation and early industry on the ecology of New Zealand landscapes, such as Horomaka Banks Peninsula and the Waimakariri River. Through meticulous and thoughtful compositions, she exposes the visible and hidden scars of human intervention creating an honest and sincere documentation of ecological change. She masterfully links these historical impacts to contemporary issues like climate change and social inequalities, prompting viewers to consider the long-term consequences of human actions on the land.

Hickford's artistic approach is twofold, encompassing both experimental display techniques and comprehensive artist books. In exhibitions, she utilizes innovative presentation methods, often displaying her works on robust materials like curved aluminium panels. Creating an immersive experience that places them at eye level with the landscape and encourages a deeper engagement with the subject matter. Complementing her exhibitions, her artist books highlight the full breadth of her extensive research practice, providing additional context and depth to her photographic narratives.

A graduate of the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Ella Hickford completed her Master of Fine Arts degree in 2023. Her dedication to creating work that encourages viewers to engage with the history and landscape of their surroundings, alongside her ongoing research, positions her as a significant voice in contemporary New Zealand photography.