ABOUT

Emilia Bryant is an abstract figurative artist, currently based in Leeds and Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. She is currently studying at University of Leeds, undertaking a BA in Fine Art. Her creative intent is to navigate the intersection between the human form and the fluidity of human energy and spirit. Her process is informed by her perception of the human anatomy; as a series of spirited gestures and colours rather than a static object. Emilia’s practice is deeply intertwined with her intuition; her inclination to paint expressively is natural urgency. For this reason, The New York school has been an enduring creative influence, most recently Willem de Kooning’s “Woman” series (1950-1952) has been a specific intrigue. Although certainly as Emilia has progressed through her practice, she leaned into her more expressive inclinations and looked to abandon definite outline; she always found de Kooning to transcend the confines of literal representation to provoke emotion and extend initial perception of anatomy in a way of great aspiration. In a similar essence, Rosenberg’s 1952 essay “American Action Painting” in which he explains how the artistry taking place on the canvas is an event, and the surface becomes “an arena in which to act”, she found to resonate with her own personal approach to undertaking painting. This is because the process of making for emilia is energised and charged with emotion, helping to process thoughts, and in turn functioning as a type of therapy. Her initial focus on form was a product of her commitment to the weekly student life drawing classes she has run and organised her peers since 2021. Many of her compositions have begun with the quick sketches produced in these sessions. However, with time spent in her artist studio, a signature style has emerged with a preference for energised, expressive marks to compose the form. Notably, many of her compositions take on a slightly surrealist up-turned perspective which were initially rooted in navigating an interest in self surveyance and John Berger’s writings on the matter in his publication “Ways of Seeing” (1972) in a series named “Rituals” produced in January 2023. However, since then the particular point of view has become a staple of Emilia’s paintings and a clear part of her artistic identity. 

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Exhibitions

 

• REVIVE

       28th March 2023

       Patrick studios, East st. Arts, St Mary's Lane, Leeds LS9 7EH

 

• Open Bracket

        6-7th December 2023

        Project space, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, University Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT

 

• "POP UP" by community curates

        27-28th April 2024

        Boxpark Wembley 18 Olympic Way, Brent HA9 0JT​

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• IMMERSIVE 

       10-19th May 2024

        21-31 Shacklewell Lane, London E8 2DA

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• SARDINES

       6-16th June 2024

       Project space, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, University Road, Leeds, LS2 9JT

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