Emily Rapport

Artist Statement

I depict scenes of daily life that reflect a distinctly American experience: El tracks, store windows, fast food drive-thrus, houses and people. Painting is an active mediation on the symbols and experiences that connect us.

My work is representational, but the "feel" of the thing is more important to me than trying to create an exacting drawing. My technique is to work quickly, I prefer wet-on-wet painting, and to try not to become too precious about anything. I enjoy working with the details of rust, wet streets, graffiti - broken down things have character. These cultural landmarks are proof of use and history. I am looking for something that tells a larger story and to imbue these mundane scenes with an element of the sublime.

Artist Bio

Emily is a figurative painter based in Chicago. Originally from upstate New York, she studied painting at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York from 1994 - 1995 and received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2005.

She has exhibited in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Amsterdam. Emily's work resides in many private collections in the U.S. and Europe.