Josiah Ellner (b. 1996, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but grew up in Xi’an, China. Growing up in a city of more than eight million people with scarce green spaces and little to no wildlife, Ellner always felt a disconnect from the natural world. Despite these feelings of alienation, his relationship with nature is a focal point of his practice. From his personal experiences of encountering and engaging with nature, Ellner weaves together playful narratives that capture intimate moments of this connection. Through careful abstraction, Ellner can heighten and fully portray the whimsical and awkward interactions he has with the environment around him. Currently, Ellner is attending The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to earn his Master of Fine Arts.