In today’s episode of Extraordinary Creatives, I’m joined by Jenn Ellis, founder of APSARA Studio and a curator whose work moves fluidly between institutions, vineyards, churches, theatres and digital space.
Jenn grew up in a family of theoretical particle physicists, studied law, and then pivoted into art history. That background is evident in the way she approaches her practice. Her thinking is structured, investigative and deeply relational. She is interested in how systems hold ideas, and how ideas behave inside those systems over time.
In this conversation, we talk about long-term commitment to artists and the importance of building relationships that evolve rather than accelerate. We explore her exhibition Terra, which unfolded across UNESCO heritage vineyards in Burgundy, and AORA, a digital sensory world developed during lockdown.
We also go into the practical realities of her work. Contracts, rate cards, negotiation, budgets and boundaries. Alongside this sits a strong curatorial and ethical position around care, clarity and sustainability in how projects are built and delivered.
A recurring theme throughout is Jenn’s question: how is this bigger than you?
Now let me introduce you to Jenn Ellis.
What We Learned from Jenn Ellis
What stays with me from this conversation is Jenn’s focus on durability.
She does not rush projects into completion. She builds them slowly, testing ideas over time and allowing each stage to inform the next. There is a clear sense that creative work, in her view, is iterative rather than fixed.
We also spoke about friction inside collaboration. Jenn is clear that disagreement is not a problem to avoid, but a necessary part of making strong work. When handled with care, it improves clarity, focus and outcome.
Another key thread is her emphasis on structure. Contracts, rate cards and boundaries are not framed as administrative obstacles, but as tools that protect energy and enable longevity. They allow creative work to exist without relying on constant self-sacrifice.
Underlying all of this is a broader question about authorship and ego. In a culture that often prioritises visibility, Jenn asks us to consider what it means to focus instead on contribution, systems and outcomes that extend beyond individual recognition.
For anyone working across institutions, interdisciplinary contexts or long-term projects, this episode offers a grounded model of how to build work that is both ambitious and sustainable.
And perhaps the central question it leaves us with is simple: what are you building that will still matter after the moment has passed?can ask: how is this bigger than you?
If you are building a practice that needs both imagination and structure, I hope this episode will land with you.
