Artist Statement:

I tend to call myself a sculptor rather than an artist.  This is because I have always been a maker, someone who loves being hands on and playing with new materials.   My main love is the tactile nature of clay, but I also work with wax, plaster, metal, stone and resin.

My work explores human experience: from how we feel, to how we move, to how we deal with life.  I depict moments in our lives that shape or define us: such as the tiny girl reaching to see inside a bowl or the man desperately trying to turn the page he is stood on.  Sculpting people in these scenarios, helps me process my life experiences as well reflect on our humanity.

The presentation of my figures is an intrinsic part of my work.  I sculpt spaces and objects for the figures to interact with, to create a narrative as well as accentuate the dynamics of the pose.  The use of colour also plays an important role in helping bring the sculpture alive.

I am fascinated by the human figure, from the inside out, and take great pleasure in studying anatomy to inform my sculpture as well as understand how the body moves.  My figures have a unique texture that reveals my workings into the clay, applied in a way that accentuates the muscles and celebrates the beauty of the human form.  Part of my portfolio glorifies our athletic nature, which is inspired by my love for Capoeira as well as that we such an impressively, adaptive species.  I hope it will connect with people’s inherent need to move and express themselves physically.

Emma’s Biography

Emma has always shown an interest in art and the process of making, which led her to live and study in Florence in 2004.  Emma then proceeded to Nottingham Trent University for a Fine-Art degree, during which she acquired a different approach to her practice, exploring interactive and community arts.  She continued in this line of work after graduating yet soon began to miss the craft and tactile nature of clay; with this in mind, she moved to Bristol in 2010 to focus on figurative sculpture. Since then Emma hasn’t looked back as galleries and buyers increasingly take interest in her work.  She constantly welcomes opportunities to learn new processes and develop ideas, including completing a post-grad diploma at Heatherly’s School in 2014.   Emma is represented by various galleries around the UK and has exhibited internationally at art fairs. She has completed various public and private commissions, including a public, bronze installation in Heleaze, Bristol.

Education:
2013-14   Heatherley’s School of Fine Art, London.  (Post-grad diploma in Sculpture)
2005-08.  Nottingham Trent School of Art & Design (BA Hons).
2006.       Erasmus in Finland; University of Lapland.
2005.       Sculpture and Fresco course; Art Under One Roof, Florence.
2003-04.  Norwich School Art & Design (Foundation Diploma).

Public Commissions:

2018.     Collaborative commission for ‘Cotton’ project funded by Arts Council through In Bristol Studio.
2016.      Amelia Edwards public sculpture, Amelia Lodge, North Bristol.  Commissioned by Churchill Retirement Living.
2016.      ‘Murmaration’. Bowden Hall, Mecure Hotel, Gloucester. Commissioned by Gallery2C.
2014.      ‘Barristers in Wire’. The Judges Lodging Hotel, York.  Commissioned by Gallery2C.
2011.       ’Elastone’, Interactive installation.  Newferry Butterfly Park, Wirral, Merseyside.
2009.      Spiders web for Manchester International Festival. Commissioned by Walk the Plank.

Residencies:
2012.      Residency at SRT, courtesy of Hand in Glove, Bristol.
2010.      Rudston Infant School & Curious Minds, Liverpool.  Artist in school.
2009.      New Bridge School, Oldham.  Visual Arts Intern.
2009.      The New Art Gallery, Walsall.  ‘Interrogation’ Project by Longhouse.
2007.      Nethergate School, Nottingham. Artist in School.

Representing Galleries:
– Art Salon, Bath.
– Byard Gallery, Cambridge
– Eduardo Alessandro Studios, Dundee.
– Wingates Gallery, Market Harborough

– Lion Street Gallery, Hay on Wye

Exhibitions:

2020.
The art of 3, Art Salon, Bath.
Summer show at Byard Art, Cambridge.

2019.
Affordable Art Fairs: Hong Kong, Singapore, Battersea, represented by Art Salon.
Spring show at Sprowson gallery, St Andrews.
Fresh Art Fair, Cheltenham, represented by Art Salon.

2018.
Affordable Art Fair, Hong Kong, represented by Art Salon.
Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead & Battersea, London, represented by Art Salon.
Fresh Art Fair, Cheltenham, represented by Wey Gallery.
‘Art of Acrobatics’, Solo exhibition at Hours Space, Bristol.
Affordable Art Fair, Singapore, represented by Art Salon.

2017.
Affordable Art Fair, Hong Kong, represented by Art Salon.
Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead, London, represented by Art Salon.
Fresh Art Fair, Cheltenham, represented by Wey Gallery.
Wilks Restaurant, show in courtyard and restaurant, Bristol.

2016.
The Sculpture Park, Farnham
Bird sanctuary show, Botanical Gardens, Bristol.
The Lobby, 15 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London.

2015.
Heatherley Summer Exhibition. London.
Easter Open Garden Exhibition, Bristol Botanical Gardens.

2014.
‘We are Plinkus’, Sculpture collective show. Hamilton House, Bristol
Bristol Affordable Art Fair, represented by Alexander Gallery
‘Autumn show’. Wey Gallery, Godalming, Surrey.
Easter Open Garden Exhibition, Bristol Botanical Gardens.

2013.
‘Figures in sculpture’. Tinca Gallery, Portishead.
Bristol Affordable Art Fair, represented by Alexander Gallery
Battersea Affordable Art Fair, London, represented by Alexander Gallery.

2012.
North Bristol Arts trail, Bristol
‘Autumn Open exhibition’, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.
‘Plinth by Plinth’.  Bath Art Fringe Festival, Bath.
‘Snapshot’, Grant Bradley Gallery, Bristol.

2011.
‘159^th Autumn Exhibition’. Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.
‘What will we do when’.  The Motorcycle Showroom, Bristol.

2010.
‘Retold’. Muse, The Art Organisation, Liverpool

2009.
‘Black & White in the Grey Area’, Wolstenholme Projects, Liverpool.
‘Not-outer space’, Nexus art café, Manchester.

2008.     ‘At Play, Replay’.  204 Gallery, Bristol.
‘EdgeCentrics’. Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, Liverpool.
‘Art.On.The.Edge’. Glebe Farm, Barnham Broom, Norfolk.
‘Fine Art 08’, Nottingham Trent University.
‘At Play’, Surface Gallery, Nottingham.

Curated Exhibitions:
2009.     ‘Stage One: the drawing house’, Wolstenholme Projects, Liverpool.
2009.     ‘Black & White in the Grey Area’, Wolstenholme Projects, Liverpool.
2008.     ‘Retold’ by thirty Biennial volunteers.  M.use, The Art Organisation, Liverpool.

Skills:

Moulding:       Mould making technician at Opus Studios, Clevedon. 2012-14.
Casting:           Resin casting technician at John Hardy Castings, Wickmere, Norfolk. 2006-8
Bronze:          Lost-wax bronze casting, Inversion Technique. Learnt through Ore & Ingot, Bristol. 2012.
Ceramics:     Kiln technician at Grapevine Gallery & Ceramic Workshop, Norwich.  2005.
Wood:          Casual Apprenticeship with Oak-swill Basket maker, Owen Jones, Cumbria. 2009.
Metal:          Short Apprenticeship with Blacksmith, Dave Capes. Norfolk. 2008.

Languages:
English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese