Statement

I collaborate with nature; the soil, sea, sun, rocks, plants, 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.

As the various minerals (natural and sometimes photographic) are mixed, poured, guided and layered, they merge and react, to each other, time, and light. Patterns and forms appear, and the border between human (mine) and nature’s marks become blurred.

I work intuitively in terms of materials and process- embracing chance, imperfection. My hands or natural objects are often my brush and the materials (my collaborators) guide me. My connection to them is added to by the memories, energies and histories that are embedded into them and the reclaimed, antique surfaces I choose to work on.

The Western world is now a human-centric one, even though nature 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.

These works are my way to give more-than-human entities, such as soil or the sea, 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.

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).

Since graduating, she has worked across many different creative fields, but in 2023, after the birth of her daughter (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 in the woodland, dunes 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.