Bio
Emma Neill is an emerging artist based in the Adelaide Hills. After receiving a National Summer Art Scholarship to travel to the National Gallery of Australia for a week, Neill has immersed herself in a profound fascination with her environment. She delves into this exploration primarily through the medium of oil painting. Neill graduated from Adelaide Central School of Art in 2023 with an Associates Degree. Some of her key achievements include being a finalist in the Youth Lester prize, Honorable Mention in the Young Archibald Prize and Finalist in the Unley Art Prize. She has also run a workshop at Adelaide Central School of Art. She participated in the Centenarian Portrait Project, volunteered at Mrs Harris’ Shop gallery, and works as a professional picture framer for highly regarded artists. She continues to showcase her self-explorative works across Adelaide.
Emma installing her artwork for her current SALA exhibtion ‘all the beauty we cannot see’, 2023, at Hither & Yon
Statement
My goal across my works is to encapsulate and convey my daily experiences and emotions living in the Adelaide Hills. My previous exhibition explored the contrast between my younger self and my present self. Building on this exploration, I now aspire to focus on my contemporary self, the daily rhythms of farm life, and the diverse landscapes of South Australia that I am surrounded by. In doing so, I aim to share my love for home-grown produce, living off the land, fixing things and working towards a self-sustainable way of life while also gaining a deeper understanding of my ever changing self. I intend for my works to provide me with a deeper understanding of myself, and for others to do the same. I want my audience to take a step back from the everyday bustle and be present with the painting, reflecting on their everyday lives and everything that has become the norm.