Emma Blackwood

Emma Blackwood studied Fine Art & English Literature at Leeds University, graduating in 1998.  Whilst there she exhibited widely in York and regularly undertook private commissions.  Alongside studying for her degree she was also employed by a professional theatre company as an actress and worked in their improvisational team.

Looking to combine both her love of theatre and art after graduating, she went on to complete a Masters Degree at Wimbledon School of Art in Theatre Design.  This led to freelance work as a designer for The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Donmar Theatre and Regent’s Part Open Air Theatre amongst others. 

After an extensive break from the arts, which included writing for a newspaper in America and training to be a Primary School teacher, Emma has now returned to painting – her first love.

Emma takes inspiration from the energy in the human form and conveys this in her vigorous mark-making on canvas using a palette knife, acrylics and oil paints.  She loosely captures the body in a series of strokes that on close inspection abstract the image. On stepping away from the canvas, the figures are revealed.

Emma often works with distorted perspectives to create strong compositions that reflect the power of the naked body.  She is interested in how the viewer relates to the human figure in art, how by sometimes including a known item on the body -  underwear or a shirt perhaps  – the images can become more personal and more intimate.  The everyday can become slightly more provocative.