Ellen Gallagher (1965- ) is an American visual artist from Providence, Rhode Island. As Gallagher's career progressed, her art evolved to become more experimental and conceptually layered. Her work often addresses the complexities of Black identity, challenging stereotypical portrayals and offering new narratives that celebrate resilience and cultural heritage. Gallagher's unique style incorporates a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture. She often employs a meticulous and labor-intensive approach to her art, blending elements of abstraction, symbolism, and surrealism.  Gallagher spent one year at Oberlin College in Ohio (1982–1984) and studied writing. She did not finish her degree there and ended up joining a carpenters' union in Seattle. She attended Studio 70 in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, in 1989 before earning a degree in fine arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1992. Her art education continued in 1993 at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture for additional training.