My name is Lizzy McElroy and I’m especially drawn to the unexpected narratives that emerge through found objects and images. These discoveries shape the way I see the world, and I make art because I can’t imagine responding to it any other way.
Based in the North East of England, my work is rooted in questions of environment and society, shaped by my degree in Sustainable Development.
Creative expression has always been central to my life: from drawing and musical theatre to film photography, now channelled through my passion for surrealist collage. This medium allows me to juxtapose disparate elements into cohesive compositions, exploring the interplay between reality and imagination and creating pieces that invite viewers to discover their own meanings.
My artistic path has been shaped by both formal study and hands-on experience. I graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in Sustainable Development, writing my dissertation on the role of art in responding to the climate crisis. While studying abroad in Melbourne, I discovered the intricacies of collage and printmaking through a course that opened my eyes to their potential for engaging with social issues. At St Andrews, I also helped establish an artist network and selling platform, hosting exhibitions and events that deepened my understanding of creative practice and community.
These experiences led me to pursue drawing classes at the Leith School of Art in Edinburgh. Since graduating, I have maintained an active art practice, exhibiting and selling work while continuing to explore the questions that first drew me to collage and to art more broadly.
