Sculptor, draughtsman and teacher who attended St Albans College of Art and Design, 1978–9; gained a first-class honours degree in sculpture, Canterbury, College of Art, 1979–82; then his master’s, Chelsea School of Art, 1983–4. Among his awards were Eirlys Tynan Travel Award, to Italy, 1991, and Elephant Trust, 1995. Ellis was studio manager and joint artistic director of The Florence Trust Studios, 1991–7; attended the Braziers International Workshop, at Braziers College, Oxfordshire, 1998; and took part in the Artists’ Access to Art Colleges Scheme, Central St Martins, 2000. He was fellow in sculpture at Exeter College of Art & Design, 1984–5, and was a visiting teacher, Central and Cheltenham Schools of Art and Camden Institute, and undertook private teaching, 1985–00.