'Those Uneasy Currents' *2 (2016) copyright Suzanne de Emmony
‘Those Uneasy Currents’ *2 (2016) copyright Suzanne de Emmony

“I like to read and research but the part of the creative process I enjoy the most is the actual making.”

Name

Suzanne de Emmony

Profession

Artist

Website

www.suzannedeemmony.

Suzanne de Emmony
Suzanne de Emmony

Who are you? What do you do?

I’m a London based Arts Practitioner. I have a multi-disciplinary practice that includes collage, assemblage, photography and drawing. I’m also an arts educator and workshop facilitator –this includes working with a community project that supports Refugees and with children.

Where are you from?

I was born in Worcestershire, UK

Your style in 3 words?

 I’m a magpie

Your weakness? Your strength?

Weakness – procrastination

Strength – I make a very good gin and tonic

'Mysterious Objects at Noon' part 6 (2015) copyright Suzanne de Emmony
‘Mysterious Objects at Noon’ part 6 (2015) copyright Suzanne de Emmony

What makes you different? 

That’s difficult to say, we’re obviously all unique in our own way but there are very few completely new ideas.I work a lot with found/appropriated images and really like this Jim Jarmusch quote on originality…

“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations … Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent…always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.”

When did you decide to become an artist?

I’d always been pretty creative but I think I found my ‘voice’ during a series of group Art Therapy sessions. The sessions were a mandatory requirement of a Foundation course in Art Psychotherapy I’d enrolled onto. Subsequently I dropped the idea of Art Psychotherapy and applied to study Fine Art instead.

To Be Where I Have Not Been *1 (2017) copyright Suzanne de Emmony
To Be Where I Have Not Been *1 (2017) copyright Suzanne de Emmony

What do you find most fascinating about your work?

I like to read and research but the part of the creative process I enjoy the most is the actual making. I get totally absorbed.

I’m also fascinated to see how finished work is ‘ read’ by an audience

A few words about your favourite creation? 

That’s a bit like being asked to choose your favourite child! However, I’m pretty attached to a piece from the ‘To be Where I Have Not Been’ series – it has an alternative title – ‘Gag’ and was made, very quickly, as a response to Trump’s successful presidential bid. I had been working with vintage purses and during a session in the studio, started to instinctively, stuff one of the purses with delicate and lacy pieces of lingerie – I had been thinking a lot about Trump’s blatant misogamy, the ongoing fight by the Women’s Movement and how Society attempts to silence women … this work was made instinctively and in frustration. The open purse looked like a mouth and the underwear acted as a gag – it started as a violent image but I’m happy to say that once I’d lived with the work for a while I began to see that the contents of the purse/mouth appeared to be exploding and spilling out …. they refused to be contained

'To Be Where I Have Not Been' *4  (2017) copyright Suzanne de Emmony
‘To Be Where I Have Not Been’ *4 (2017) copyright Suzanne de Emmony

Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…

I’ve been, and continue to be inspired by many artists but I discovered Judy Chicago and The Dinner Party when I was a teenager – I think her attitude had a big affect on me.

A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?

I’ve started making work about hyper-masculinity and sites of defunct industries – its early days but I’m excited about the possibility of an artist’s residency at a hardcore powerlifting and bodybuilding gym

Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“

…contributing toward a fairer, less divided country

2018: Where are we going?

I really hope 2018 will see a continuation of the shift towards the Left in British Politics – and ultimately, a Labour Government led by Jeremy Corbyn.

When the going gets tough… 

Resist!

Your city’s favourite spots?

I never fail to get a surge of excitement when I cross the Thames via the central bridges … Waterloo Bridge is my favourite crossing – the city always looks magnificent and I feel lucky to live here.

'Mysterious Objects at Noon' part 4 (2015) copyright Suzanne de Emmony
‘Mysterious Objects at Noon’ part 4 (2015) copyright Suzanne de Emmony

Do you have a vision? 

I think my comments above re: a kinder, fairer Society and a Corbyn Labour Government apply here!

What would you do if you could change the World? 

Banish poverty…. and rainy Mondays

Tell us about your future plans… 

I’m not good at planning ahead, but I have a strong urge to go travelling with my partner in the not too distant future

'Mysterious Objects at Noon' part 2 (2015) copyright Suzanne de Emmony
‘Mysterious Objects at Noon’ part 2 (2015) copyright Suzanne de Emmony

Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?

I don’t have a singular favourite but I’d like ‚’Feeling Good’ by Nina Simone to be played at my funeral – so that’s definitely up there

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