Ellen Wallenstein

Photographer

Born NYC, 1952. Started photographing while a teenager, at Hunter College High School. Earned a BA in Art History from SUNY Stony Brook, 1974 and a MFA in Photography from Pratt Institute, 1978. Started a long teaching career that year, beginning with the Art Department of the University of Texas at Austin. Currently teaching at the School of Visual Arts, NYC, and is an Adjunct Professor (with tenure) at Pratt Institute. Teaching various classes in photography and book arts at both institutions, at Undergraduate and Graduate levels. Photographer, book artist, professor, writer and curator. Completed several photographic projects about aging, most notably "Opus for Anne", a series of photographs of a bed-bound cancer patient, and "Respecting My Elders", a book of portraits of creative artists over 80, published in 2013. Exhibited artworks at various venues both nationally and internationally. Worked as an Artist-in-Residence at a hospital (2002-05) and a Senior Center (2014-15, 2018). Was awarded a New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Fellowship, 2008. Photographic projects have been nominated for the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award, 2000, and the Santa Fe Prize, 2011. Photographs and books are in various collections and art libraries around the United States. Since 2014 she has been making photographic diptychs, shooting in various neighborhoods in Manhattan and in art galleries and museums. Currently exhibits her photographs and collages at the Carter Burden Gallery in NYC.