Written by
Where's the frame
August 28, 2020 12:49 PM
GMT
Emily Moore has her own iteration of the word ‘wildness’ in vanguard art. Unsystematic, rural, ruggedness. She views painting as a guise of multilayer the old and the new, in different speed, volume, texture and height. As a born and bred Londoner, she was part of the RCA class of 2020 – a generation that might be challenged in their artistic processes but remain resilient. In this conversation between the London based artist and where’s the frame?, we discover her practice that reminds us of the wabisabi aesthetic and untamed landscape.
Since we cannot meet in person and do a studio visit, can you describe your
workspace?
My studio is similar to a natural untamed landscape. It has so many layers of thinking through materials and processes.It's definitely a visually rich space.
What was it like training under RCA? Does it change your practice in general?
For me the RCA opened so many more conversations within my practice. Having access to a wealth of knowledge through my peers, tutors, technicians, library and workshops aggravated my practice in the right way.
2020 is a weird year, did you find a way to cope creatively as an artist?
I put it in my work. I made work that could only have been made because of the year we had - ‘Let my people go’ series (2020) was a reflection of that.
Can you please describe your artwork as if you were talking to someone who can’t see?
I have defined my own term 'Wildness' in contemporary painting; this is echoed in my practice and through the living definition of wildness; I feel my approach to the studio is similar to that of a natural untamed landscape. Its beauty is seen through the complexities of the unknown. The unsystematic, rural, ruggedness of a space that is hidden in the uncertainties of what you might find.cWhilst all coexisting under the guise of painting. This explorative sense of wildness can be seen in my studio as I have no qualms about working through several different ideas or pieces of work at the same time.
How do you feel about the recent uproar of online activism after BLM done by universities, fashion brands or the art sector in general?
For me the conversations that have arisen through the BLM protests echo the story.
Witnessing the violence against black people across the world - the anti blackness that many Black people including myself have faced is heartbreaking. If 2020 has come to teach us anything - it is equality for every human being on this planet.
Do you have a routine/ritual before your start working on your art? Coffee? Cigarettes? 10 cups of tea?
Not really, not that i am aware of.
What is your greatest indulgence in life, so far?
Becoming an artist. Now I am one, it's going to be for life.
What is the weirdest thing that you ever encountered on the streets of London?
I was born in London so nothing is really that weird. I have seen it all.
What is next for you after RCA? Any projects we should know of and that you can reveal?
I was one of the twenty London graduates for White cube : ‘Tomorrow London’ show. I also won the Valerie Beston Award 2020 for my online degree show. So I will be having my first Solo show next year at Ordovas Gallery in Mayfair. On top of that, I was awarded a free studio for a year so I will be working toward that too.
RCA painting will have their graduate show at CARL Freemans gallery in margate next year also.
So many amazing projects which i am extremely grateful for!
Emily Moore was also one of the featured artists in our RCA 2020 Degree Show review. You can read it here.
All photos courtesy of the artist.
