Art is my outlet—shaped by chaos, growth, and self-discovery—now creating from alignment, truth, and a place beyond words.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
String art feels like the perfect mirror of how I move through life—intentional, patient, and a little intuitive. I love taking something simple and building it into something layered and meaningful, thread by thread. It lets me slow down, focus, and create something that feels both structured and expressive, like turning quiet moments into something you can actually see and feel.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in unconventional places—first discovering string art as integration after a plant medicine journey while isolated on a blueberry farm in South Africa, with only zebras and art to ground me. My work blends ADHD-driven hyperfocus, engineering precision, nature and the sea, and deep inner exploration. Each piece becomes an outlet to process emotion—grief, love, and everything in between—shaped by lived experience.
What would you do with $25,000?Receiving $25,000 would feel surreal. I believe anything that flows in through my art should flow back into it—fueling my growth, expanding my work, and helping me share it more widely. I’d reinvest it into my creative journey, using it to deepen my practice and reach others, so the energy of the art continues to circulate, connect, and inspire.
Vote for Ashley Edes to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
