about

socially engaged artist + dancer | performance designer | workshop facilitator

Interdisciplinary artist with a sensory and playful practice, based in Kent and London.  In my experimental art practice, I create colourful, interactive, multi-sensory installations and playful, participatory performances both indoors and outside for all ages and abilities. I am interested in the senses, the possibilities for art in the everyday, our connection with nature, the importance of play for all, and the psychology of making. I work in an interdisciplinary and improvised way combining different mediums together like a giant collage often through spontaneous connections: tactile sculpture, found objects, collage, drawing, printmaking, photography, projection, video, poetry, spoken word, improvisation, dance/performance, meditation, sound and scents. As an eco-conscious artist, I use sustainable methods such as re-using and up-cycling every day items, objects from nature and buying second hand.

My creations are site-specific and respond and transform spaces with mindful experiences and engaging  materials to alter perceptions and benefit well-being. Participants are invited to relax and explore sensory play and improvised performance in a collaborative and supportive manner using visually enticing and movement inspiring materials. The environment is flexible and changes as people interact with the materials, forming new designs. I also facilitate mindfulness and meditation experiences to add another layer of sensory engagement, often using the materials to entice curiosity and offer comfort, like a relational object.

As a performer with experience of dancing in many styles such as contemporary, salsa, swing, disco and hula hooping, I mix these together with performance techniques such as improvisation and non-matrixed to create a unique movement language. Using my performative body, I interact and respond to my installations with improvised, fluid and playful movement; continuing the shapes and designs, becoming an extension of the artwork. Equally, I also use my body to mirror pre-existing areas and patterns in every day spaces that attract my curiosity..

Experienced in delivering workshops around sensory play, art making, mindfulness, improvisation and performance for all ages and abilities. Recent examples include, adults experiencing social isolation, adults living with dementia, adults with learning disabilities and older adults, children with SEN/D, early years and young families and intergenerational groups. I believe everyone has a unique sense of creativity; I like to just help to plant the seed.

I’ve made work for community, outdoor, domestic, gallery and online spaces across Kent, London and Europe. Recent highlights include Sonic Plants Sonic People at Kollectiv, Folkestone (2025), Gypskazz Cabaret at the The Ballroom Canterbury (2025), Radical Gifting with People United (2024), Beyond Text: Innovative Poetry Festival (2023), Last Fridays at Creative Folkestone (2021), Folkestone Fringe: Sub Plot (2021) and Domestic by Word of Warning (2020). I have an MA in Performance Design & Practice from University of the Arts London: Central Saint Martins, a BA in Fine Art from Kingston School of Art and Grades 5-6 in Ballet, Tap, Lyrical & Modern Jazz.

Kate Bush The Organiser (2018)

“Onward and Upward Mobile-ity with the Arts— or the projection of Elly plus the rebirth of Kate Bush as Staircase Stars. Including marmalading, hula hooping, Funny Facing and cardboard interfacing. Curiously!”

Scott Ewing (2020)

© Elly Rutherford 2026