Emma Hurst Email and Phone Number

Emma Hurst’s process is labour intensive and committed as she deploys the technique of soaking-staining-folding and compressing her chosen material. She begins by tearing the canvas from the roll and lays it on the floor. Mixes intense colours of reactive powder pigments into water and paints straight onto unprimed canvas. Allowing the paint to puddle and pool, soak into the surface and through to the underside, staining each fibre as she moves over the surface in a manner that combines control and spontaneity. Homemade tools are created to assist in the folding of sometimes immense cuts of canvas.Her saturated paintings take shape from literally being folded onto, or into 3D-shapes then left to dry solid. Sometimes, the folded material is squeezed tightly between planks of wood and driven over, first, to rid the excess water, but more importantly for the folds to leave a permeant line within the structure of the material inviting elements of chance into the work. When the material is bone dry, the shape supports itself without its armature. With force, they are flattered and ironed. Geometric forms, and traces from each process are revealed. The processes of making becomes the painting itself. No matter how much she tries to erase the past, its persistency is revealed time and time again. When prised apart, work begins on the other side. The process is repeated and another colour is introduced. Evidence of each process is built upon and given the chance to expose itself in the finished painting.