About x ELI ASHE

I’m Eli Ashe, a 29-year-old self taught artist and sculptor, my work is built from layers of personal history, strength, and transformation. My art is a reflection of my journey – raw, gritty, and often grounded in the very materials I grew up with: concrete, wood, metal scrap, tile, resin. These materials are all part of me, just as my past is. Born and raised in the heart of Minnesota, I spent my childhood surrounded by tools, working with my hands, whether I was logging, woodworking, or fixing things. I learned early how to shape and create, and that process stayed with me through every chapter of my life.

A lot of my younger years were marked by deep trauma, and I sought refuge in drugs as a way to numb the pain. Despite losing myself for a while, I always carried that work ethic with me. I hit rock bottom, but in the process, I found my strength and resilience. At 17, I got sober and have been 12 years clean now, and that journey of healing and rediscovery has shaped my artistic voice. Even though life continues to throw its challenges, I now see each obstacle as a new opportunity to rise, like a phoenix from the ashes.

I’ve moved across the country many times, embracing my free-spirited, nomadic nature along the way. These shifts and changes have been an integral part of my creative evolution, and I've ventured through various artistic careers, including set building, prop making, and creating handcrafted furniture and longboards with custom artwork. My diverse experiences have shaped my view of the world, informing my art and my life. 

The meaning in my work is profound—it’s an expression of all the unspoken feelings, the deep wounds that never quite heal, but build you into who you are and the journey toward peace. As a lesbian, I draw on my own experiences of identity, love, and self-acceptance, which continue to shape the way I see myself and the world around me. Every sculpture I create is my way of pouring out the depths of what lies beneath the surface. It’s my way of transforming pain and growth into something powerful. Even though I’m constantly evolving, my art remains a constant release—a reminder that I can rebuild, reshape, and recreate.

Through my pieces, I invite the viewer to witness the complexity of my experiences and the quiet power in healing. My work speaks to resilience, to the beauty in struggle, and the strength it takes to rebuild yourself, piece by piece, again and again. Each sculpture is a story—one of pain, redemption, growth and the continuous journey to find one’s true self.