Easel Initiative Q&A with Ella
Assistant Technical Manager
What inspired you to pursue a career in the arts?
A love of contemporary visual art and museums, and my desire to do something that made the most of my practical skills and creativity.
Can you tell us a little about your role?
My role currently involves supporting Constantine’s Technical team in running projects for museums, galleries and private clients. These can range from large collection decants to challenging installations. We also support the museums, galleries and estimates teams by advising on packing and handling procedures.
What does your average day entail?
My day is always very varied – I can be in the office working on logistical planning and dealing with enquiries, travelling to conduct site visits and assisting with installations, or measuring artwork for crates.
How did you get your job?
I have previously worked for galleries, museums and smaller logistic companies as a freelancing technician, so I knew which industry websites I should be checking routinely for new roles.
Easel is a social mobility initiative set up to help further equal opportunity and accessibility within the art industry. They support and encourage people of all backgrounds to consider working in the creative sector. Find out more.
Sites such as ArtTechSpace helped a lot too and as the tech community is small, word of mouth was a great way to find out when Constantine was hiring.
What is the best part of your job?
The variety. My role enables me to develop different skills alongside each other…and I do have a nerdy love of tools and big trucks!
What has been the highlight of your career?
Assisting with the fabrication of Richard Deacon’s ash works. I had the opportunity to work with the very talented sculptor Matthew Perry (a long-time collaborator with Richard) and witness his magnificent engineering and problem-solving ability.
What is your favourite artwork?
Anything by Jenny Saville – I can’t pick a favourite. I admire the large scale of her works and the way she looks at women’s bodies from a more provocative viewpoint.
Which artists would you have like to have met and why?
Artist Yayoi Kusama. It would be amazing to get to know the person responsible for such surreal and fantastic works.
What advice would you give people trying to enter the art industry?
I always wish someone would have told me in real terms how long it would take before I would earn an average income. It was challenging to begin but I was determined. It wouldn’t have changed my decision to be an art technician because the reward is seeing a finished installation and thinking “I was involved in that”, which is always incredibly exciting.