About / Bio

Emily Cussins is a Netherlands based British artist with a BA in Fine Art/ Art History from Goldsmiths College, and an MA in Documentary Photography from UAL (LCC).

Having worked across many different creative fields, after the birth of her daughter in 2022 (and inspired by her) she began to return to the work she started as a child; painting with soil. (Then molehills from her parents garden).

Emily grew up in the English countryside, with hours spent playing outdoors surrounded by ancient woodland and the roman ruins nearby. As a result her ongoing inspiration is the natural world and the ancient and primitive marks and patterns created by both nature and humans. Centuries old rock formations. A scribble on an old school book. Driftwood. The first cave paintings. NASA imagery. Crumbling walls. Children’s drawings.

Today she works both in nature, the dunes, lakes and beaches near her home, and from her studio in a 17th century building in Haarlem, NL. This site is her studio’s digital home.

Statement

I collaborate with nature; the soil, sea, sun, rocks, seaweed, salt and sand, to create abstract artworks that are an ode to our planet and micro universes of their own. Both ancient and of the future they  explore our connection to time and  the natural world - its past and possible future.

Each is made over many days, on canvas, or antique, found materials that are embedded with their own histories. The minerals (natural and sometimes photographic) are poured, guided and layered- merging and reacting, to each other, time, and light. Patterns and forms appear, and the border between human and nature’s marks are blurred.

I embrace imperfection and chance, allowing my collaborators to guide me. Instead of seeking preservation, I also embrace how the works will continue to slowly evolve (as does everything in the end).

We live in a human-centric society, even though the natural world was here long before us. Despite small shifts, (like moves to give rivers legal rights), much has been, and will continue to be, lost in the process.

My work is a way to give non-human entities such as the ocean, rocks, plants or soil, an equal hand, respect and importance. To truly collaborate with them, in order to reconnect. To their ancient wisdom and unique magic. To the childlike playfulness and awe they bring up in us. And to the joy and urgency of working with, learning from and protecting them.