Ella Mae Ellison

Oil Paint on Canvas

11x17”

2022

Ella Mae Ellison’s story displays with all certainty the violence of the prison system on Black women and the lasting effects of colourism. Despite being nowhere near the crime scene, the original alleged accomplice being described as a lighter-skinned 18-year-old Black girl or there being any evidence that she was even remotely involved, Ella Mae Ellison was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to two concurrent life sentences. What is worse, is that the police were told she was involved by two young Black men whom she had offered rides to because they lived in the same building complex. Whatever the reason, Ella Mae was not exonerated until 1978 when the two Black men recanted their trial testimony.

What, I suppose, is most jarring is the fact, that like many others, Ella was completely innocent. However, unlike some, Ella Mae was a mother of four children and when she heard the verdict she was stunned and said “I can’t live without my kids. I’ll kill myself”. These words ring loud and clear in my mind and perhaps remind us, as she did in the moment of her verdict, to think of the children that are impacted by the violence against women by the prison system.  

For this poster, I wanted it to be informative regarding Ella Mae’s experience, but also clearly display her innocence. I chose to centre the idea of her stunned presence in the courtroom, which I can only imagine, continued to the cell she was later moved to. The constructed background in my mind mimics how the last 24-hours and couple of months must have flashed before her eyes, alone in that cell. The inclusion of the childlike objects is meant to remind us of her innocence and the innocence of her children, who were now, without their mother. The map on the floor is meant to discuss the limitless bounds, police will traverse to hunt down a Black woman who did not commit any crime. This is no game.

This was someone’s life.

These were someone’s kids.

Now, without their mother.

This can’t happen again.

We must ensure, that it never does.