Artist statement: “In this piece, I draw inspiration from my walks along the seafront in Plimmerton, where the beauty of washed-up shells, seaweed, and sea creatures grab my eye with their intricate patterns and muted colors. Listening to the sea’ features a modern-day mythical being. She sits serenely by the shore, listening to the whispers of the ocean through kina headphones. Through this work, I aim to capture the harmony and contrast between the tranquility of her and the impending tempest, evoking a sense of wonder and contemplation.”
Emma won our Creativity and Promise Award in 2018. She credits this with pushing her to experiment, learning about how the art world works, and meeting a community of artists.
We noted Emma’s achievements since that award, in our past winner updates.
A prolific and fast painter, by the end of 2024 Emma will have had three solo shows: Muse Gallery, Havelock North; her sellout show ‘Kindred’ in June at Twentysix Gallery, Wellington; and an exhibition ‘Wildy’ at Railway Street Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland on 24 October alongside her friend Jenn Leov‘s ceramics.
An essay by Railway Street Gallery about Emma’s art practice is here.
Follow Emma on Instagram @emmahercusart
2024 ART AWARDS | 2024 winners: Emma Hercus | Fran Zukowski | Rhona Orr | Bert van Dijk
ART AWARDS GALLERIES: 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2022 • 2024