ABOUT

Emilia Bryant is an abstract figurative artist, based in West London United Kingdom. Her practice functions as an inquiry into the degrees between pure representation and pure abstraction. Many of her paintings begin from sketches she produced in weekly life drawing classes, which Bryant organised since 2021, then extended into large-scale mix media paintings, using oil, acrylic, spray paint, pastels and chalk. While her images are no doubt studies of the human body, each brushstroke is anchored in expression and the marks exceed an intention of representing static forms. The choice of an exaggerated perspective coupled with bold colours as an artistic method goes beyond being a visual distortion; rather it becomes a window into her mode of seeing.

 

Aesthetics that transcend the confines of literal representation to provoke emotion are the most enduring creative inspiration for Bryant's practice. Paintings from Willem de Kooning’s 1952 “Woman” series are most exemplary of this, with the artist boldly conflicting with the period’s critics who had declared the human figure obsolete in painting, to produce multiple images that extend the audience’s initial perception of anatomy. Similarly, Gustav Klimt’s injection of atmosphere into his figurative painting through irresistible texture and pattern are aspirational for Bryant. Equally, though more perhaps subtly, his student Egon Schiele's illustrative portrayals of the female body, exude this intangible essence of humanity. By the same token, Bryant is influenced by the intent of contemporary artists Wycliffe Mundopa, Jorge Nava, and
Natalia Romanciuc to explore the union between physical and spiritual personality, delving into the essence of these human elements.

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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

        The Holy Art Gallery, 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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• "Kanvases and Kocktails" by Kapsule Events                                                                                                8th September 2024                                                                                                                                          93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL

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• Graduate Art exhibition 2024 by Candid Arts Trust                                                                                          1st-13th October 2024                                                                                                                                        Candid Art Gallery, 5 Torren Street, London, EC1V 1NQ.

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