Interview: Emma Carter
Luca Curci talks with Emma Carter during FUTURE LANDSCAPES, the third appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR, at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello.

Emma Carter is an Irish Visual Artist who explores line as a mark on the canvas. Her style is abstract expressionism. The Artist’s aim is to manipulate this line and form new marks in her work. Different size brushes and angles at which she applies the paint help her to achieve an illusion in her work that would almost invite you to look closer to make sense of where each mark and line connects. She wants to allow her line marks to make their own abstract space within the gestures of paint. She finds a conversation between her marks and lines and also the chosen colours, announcing their presence within each abstract space resulting in a dialogue in the painting between all of the elements. Each colour chosen corresponds to its opposite colour, and she then mixes various tones and shades of the colours to create depth.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Emma Carter – Art for me is the visual expression of one’s thought process. It is a way to communicate. Art is a language in the form of painting, sculpture, ceramics, print or in any medium an artist may choose. It is essentially beauty without words. Although some viewers may interpret my work differently, they each respond to my work in a unique way when viewing it. Once a response is evident, art has been appreciated.

LC – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
EC – I am an Irish Visual Artist and Secondary School Art Teacher in Ireland. I studied Fine Art specialising in Paint at ATU School of Design and Creative Arts Co.Galway. After completing my undergraduate degree I completed my MA in Professional Masters of Education in Art and Design with Digital Media in LSAD Co.Limerick. Since graduating I have been teaching Art to students while showcasing my paintings in various exhibitions in Ireland. I quickly found my niche when studying Fine Arts at ATU. My experience of attending an Art Academy triggered my style of work and it has slightly changed since then as a lot of my work is commissioned for clients who are designing a room for a house or building. My palette is normally based on interior factors such as wall colours, cushions, couches etc.

LC – What is the role the artist plays in society and contemporary art?
EC – Artists seek to captivate a viewer’s eye and allow them to understand what our work is about. The majority of contemporary artists use past or present events to influence their work. Society is influenced by what is seen. It is my job as an artist to give viewers an opportunity to think about what they see and how they feel, rather than give them the answers. Artists give society freedom of thought in the creative realm.

LC – Where do you find your inspiration?
EC – My inspiration is the world around me, I count myself lucky enough to be able to see colours and shapes and I appreciate them because they have been man-made or are natural. I take these shapes and colours and amalgamate them into an abstract expressionistic piece of art using mark making with gestures paint. The process is a big part of my work. I work quickly and everything is captured in a spontaneous dance of paint portraying an infinite end to the knots and lines seen in my work. My work makes the viewer question the relationship between a structured entity and a realization of a new world.

LC – Did your style change over the years? In which way?
EC – My style has changed slightly. When I first began painting abstract expressionism my style wasn’t as loose as it is today. I feel my work has no boundaries nowadays because I am painting to the client’s taste rather than painting to make the canvas look ‘Finished’ My aim is to manipulate lines and form new marks in my work. Using different tones of colour, I create depth and each layer has a different spontaneous movement. I want to allow my line marks to make their own abstract space within the gestures of paint. I find a conversation between marks and lines and also the colours chosen, announcing their presence within each abstract space resulting in a dialogue in the painting between all of the elements.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this exhibition? How is it connected to the theme of the entire festival?
EC – The message linked to my work and Future Landscapes is that my work can portray a new entity or world. In reality, it’s painted on a canvas, but viewers get lost in the paintings, the eye paths change and they long for answers. When you view my work a second or third time you can see different natural or man-made elements, and our world is made up of natural and man-made elements. Future Landscapes could be translated into a new entity making its presence known on the canvas. The definition of landscape is all the visible features of an area of land, often considered in terms of its aesthetic appeal. However, aesthetic appeals change and adapt over time just as art eras have.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event?
EC – The organization of the event was very professional. As an artist, I was a priority and the organisers were there to assist with any questions I had regarding the exhibition. Being able to meet other artists and see their unique style of making art has enriched the experience of the event. The opening was a success and there were constant conversations hymning around the rooms of Palazzo Albrizzi Capello.

LC – What is your idea about ITSLIQUID Group?
EC – ITSLIQUID group give artists a voice. Emerging artists need organisations like ITSLIQUID, in order to take a leap in their careers. We need a platform to show the world our work and not be afraid to show who we are as an artist. ITSLIQUID gives artists valuable opportunities. This is my first time exhibiting with them but also it is my first time exhibiting outside of Ireland. They really helped me gain enough experience and confidence to accept more invitations to exhibit abroad. Seeing my canvases hanging in a gallery outside of Ireland on an international platform is an honour. ITSLIQUID presents opportunities for artists to be seen.