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Artist to bring ‘Elusive’ collection to Factory Works Gallery

Factory Works Gallery at the Pajama Factory is set to debut “Elusive Ayla: Ekkivnon,” an exhibition of drawings, watercolor paintings, poetry and clothing, Nov. 2-29, with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m.

The collection is designed by Elusive Ayla, whose work, much like her moniker, is often elusive. Ayla hopes that the viewer carries a message from the work into their lives. She’s interested in creating an ambiguous narrative that is both familiar and imaginative.

Factory Works Gallery director Brian Spies was first introduced to Elusive Ayla by fellow Pajama Factory denizen Shana Eichenberg. Ayla has been working under the name as long as Spies has known her.

“I think it suits her and her work quite well,” he said. “Both her art and her as a person are elusive and defy characterization.”

The exhibition’s title, which translates roughly as “Rebirth,” points to the show as a beginning of something new for the artist through the culmination of her work up to this point.

Spies has been familiar with Elusive Ayla’s work for several years.

“We’ve collaborated on a number of projects over the years, and when she approached me last year about doing a show, I was very excited to see her work in my gallery,” he said.

Born in Alaska and raised in central Pennsylvania, Elusive Ayla graduated from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale with a degree in fashion design in 2011. Since graduating, she has focused her attention on a variety of mediums including clothing design, water colors, pen and ink drawings and poetry, as well as photography and performance. She currently lives and works in Williamsport.

“My interest in illustration started at a young age with my passion for reading manga,” Ayla said.

Spies describes Ayla’s work as darkly imaginative, where she creates her own world in her work.

“It’s evocative, and although influenced by eras like Viennese symbolism, German expressionism and contemporary graphic traditions like anime and manga, it’s still very much her own,” he said.

Elusive Ayla’s work has been exhibited at Converge Gallery, the Pajama Factory, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and Nordstrom’s Fashion Event.

For Ayla, the process of creating her art is enjoyed as a meditation.

“Each piece has its own spirit, so it is hard to choose my favorites; though my more current pieces are very close to me,” she said.

Although Ayla has shown in many group exhibitions, this is her first solo exhibition.

“I’m very excited to both see it realized and to see what she does moving forward,” Spies said. “I think she has a lot to still say and I’m very excited to hear it.”

For Ayla, art, poetry and clothing design are tools to channel and record her emotions.

“Sometimes I see it in a ritualistic sense,” she said. “I hope my art can be a muse for people and give their space comfort.”

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