The Artist
Statement
I am a visual artist who embraces art as an avenue of processing contradiction, pain, discovery, and a mechanism to challenge projected assumptions. My belief is that in its current state, art can be limited by how our world defines true ‘art’ and how we traditionally interact with it. By immersing myself in the confusion of the human mind and reflecting on surviving my own emotions, I reflect my internal world colliding with the external one in my work.
My pieces layer the chaotic frenzy my brain is capable of, with the emotion resulting from acceptance of oneself; reflecting the collision between our external and internal worlds. I draw inspiration from the bright and distinct nature of the ‘American’ West and the lush yet harsh landscapes of the Austrian Alps, highlighting the healing capacity of nature on the mind and self. Further informed by my experiences with and around mental illness and the learning’s I’ve gained through my own healing, my art seeks to disrupt the assumptions projected on us all, awakening curiosity in a world obsessed with on-demand elation and ultimately opening the artistic conversation to new voices and ideas.
Utilizing natural and unnatural textures through layering thick acrylic strokes with delicate imprints from everyday tokens and materials, I aim to create a multi-sensory experience. Through this combination of natural and manufactured texture, I ask the viewer to question their own interpretation of self and world, questioning presumptions that can result in internalized shame, judgement, and fear that can perpetuate harm to ourselves and others. My hope is that by allowing others to perceive themselves diversely, they can heal the wounds projected upon them and expand the artistic experience to those ignored in conversation and our society.
Emmy Michaela grew up in the greater Seattle area and is a decade-long resident of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Her passion for creation was sparked early by field trips to the Seattle Art Museum, her father’s hometown in what is currently known as the American southwest, and her mother’s roots in the Austrian Alps. Varying geographic properties combined with early art exposure sparked her curiosity about the ways colors, shapes, and shadows interacted with each other, while always reflecting the textures of the natural world around us.
Alongside her academic pursuits, she gravitated towards materials like pen and charcoal to explore textures and shadows. Throughout college, she began embracing her own artistic expression by working with negative space to create realistic portraits and stark linework before expanding into acrylic painting, experimenting with texture and mixed media.
Emmy completed a B.S. degree in Political Science and a minor in Economics, graduating magna cum laude from Santa Clara University. During this time she co-authored an academic paper on implementation of California public policy focused on criminal justice reform and delivered a TEDx presentation on the intersection of humor and mental health in 2017.