'And then we dance' — Emma Labattaglia

Artist Statement

I am a Contemporary Australian Artist, working out of my home studio on the beach in Mornington Peninsula/ Victoria. I have always been interested in exploring the organic world contrasting the synthetic. It is an idea that has always stuck with me whilst creating my art. I question the superficial way most of us live in the Western world. Something I am fully immersed in myself, yet struggle with the processes and decisions we make. My art is a personal, emotionally driven journey. I try to express my thoughts and feelings throughout the creation process and the finished product. I use different materials in my work, juxtaposing the natural rawness of messy oil paint/stick, collage, charcoal with spray paint or a solid colour/shape. I use organic forms, representing them in an synthetic way. Or, through contrasting materials, with shapes and patterns and colour, against hard and soft.

Theme: SCAPE

I like to use a variety of materials, apply many layers, sanding back and reapplying. Much like the landscape surrounding, I find this creates a sense of rawness, and realness. Seeing beauty in the imperfection of nature. Which in turn is actually perfection in contrast to many man made creations. Objects which may come across as shiny and perfect, yet there is no depth to them. I have taken forms and shapes which may resemble elements of architecture, and aim to give them an organic feel with childlike brush strokes, adding collage to break up the neat canvas, as well as seeing glimpses of what once was underneath the final layers of paint.

— Emma Labattaglia, Saint Andrew’s Beach