BODY CASTS
Every Body’s
Story
Every body has a story.
I create body casts for women and non-binary people to help them connect to and celebrate their bodies.
Body casting creates a time capsule of your body, and a lasting physical embodiment of a moment in your life.
Connect
Connect with your body and its story through the therapeutic art of body casting. Experience the transformative and empowering casting process.
Discover
Discover seeing your form from a whole new perspective in 3D. Create a time capsule of your body, and a lasting physical embodiment of a moment in your life.
Honour
Honour your body and treasure your cast. Your cast is a celebration of your body. You can display and treasure it, it is yours and it is beautiful.
Press
Censorship: Exhibition celebrates ‘nipple diversity’
“Wow, look at all of us,” says Ngaio Anyia.
She is one of 150 women and non-binary people who volunteered to have their nipples cast as part of an exhibition called Censorship.
It’s hoped the pieces, all painted gold, champion the differences in our bodies as well as showing nipples in a different light to function and sexuality.
Bristol artist celebrates women’s bodies by making casts
A Bristol artist has been making casts of women’s bodies to help them to reconnect themselves physically after facing trauma.
Bristol artist Ellen Downes has been inviting women to her studio in Barton Hill to cast their torsos and paint them gold.
Eli Maddock took part in the Every Body’s Story project and said it “made me feel beautiful again”.
Latest
CENSORED Exhibition 2023
15-20 September, Centrespace Gallery Bristol.
An exhibition of 300 golden Jesmonite nipple casts of women and non-binary people. A powerful installation challenging censorship and celebrating nipple diversity.
Exhibition Opens in
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LATEST
CENSORED Exhibition 2023
15-20 September, Centrespace Gallery Bristol.
An exhibition of 300 golden Jesmonite nipple casts of women and non-binary people. A powerful installation challenging censorship and celebrating nipple diversity.
Every Body Has a Story
“I met my late husband when I was 18, he’d just arrived in England from Jamaica. We had 8 children together over the years. 2 of them died , one when he was 32, and 2 were miscarried. But I still count them all, I’ve had 8 children. I’m 75 now, but if I could have more children, I would! I have brought up my own children, and some of my grandchildren from birth too. My body has been shaped by a lifetime of motherhood. Over time my body has naturally leaned to one side from carrying children on my right hip. My right hip has produced a lump that I call my children’s ‘seat’.”
“Now there is so much anticipation for the baby’s arrival! At this stage I am feeling excited to feel my first contraction, and to know that the baby is on their way. I’m hoping that the birth is as calm and as positive as possible. I know I’ll feel well supported by my husband and doula to take it as it comes and I just need to remember to breathe. It’s difficult to have expectations of the birth when it’s all such an unknown. We have definitely read up and prepared to feel ready for the unexpected, as ready as we can be. I just need to trust my body.”
“I am a fat, black model with influence. When I see photos of myself I’m honestly in awe. I didn’t see bodies like mine in the media growing up. It makes me feel very proud. I wasn’t always plus size, I used to be a size 14. It’s wild because back then I didn’t think I was enough. People tend to automatically think that fat people are unhealthy, but I know that I am healthy because I do the work. I look after myself physically, mentally and spiritually. Now I’m the biggest I’ve ever been, and the most comfortable. I’m so at home in my body.”
About Me
Body Casting Artist
Hello, I’m Ellen. My work centres around celebrating bodies of marginalised genders and the power of storytelling.
My first body cast was at Shambala Festival in 2015 and found the experience to be transformative. I learnt to cast in 2019 and I’ve since been casting around the world.
I am so honoured to share my art and this therapeutic and beautiful process with others.
Life Casting
Body Casting by Ellen Downes
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Studio
Book Your Body Casting Workshop Now
I am taking bookings now for casting sessions at my studio – Maze Studios, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 9TQ
DM me on Instagram @everybodysstory or
NEWSLETTER
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To hear first about upcoming Every Body’s Story events, read women’s casting stories and join me in celebrating the beauty and diversity of our bodies.
NEWSLETTER
Sign up to the Newsletter
To hear first about upcoming Every Body’s Story events, read women’s casting stories and join me in celebrating the beauty and diversity of our bodies.
