An Ipswich student is celebrating after securing a writer’s residency with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Ellen, an MA Creative and critical writing student at the University of Suffolk, will write a collection of poetry, essays and artwork that will be showcased at the Van Gogh Museum in the Dutch capital.

The 26-year-old said: “I contacted the museum directly with a project proposal in October, outlining my research plans and what I plan to write through the residency.

“I will be working with the researchers at the museum through interviews and tours of the collections, as well as conducting my own research by speaking to visitors at the museum about their personal responses to Van Gogh and his work.

“I have admired Van Gogh and his work since I was a child. His story resonated with me and has stuck with me ever since.

“I was first introduced to Van Gogh in a primary school art class, and as a creative who has struggled with my mental health from a very early age, his story was very inspirational.

“It amazed me that someone who felt so much pain could create such beautiful things.”

Ellen, who lives in East Suffolk, has been writing stories ever since she was a child.

She now focuses on fantasy and literary fiction projects.

Ellen has dyslexia and really struggled with reading and writing as a child.

She added: “I had a lovely English teacher in my first few years of high school, who really encouraged me to write, while some teachers tried to tell me that I would never be able to pursue writing as an adult.

“The writer’s residency at the Van Gogh Museum is a huge honour for me, and something myself and my university are incredibly proud of.”