Brighton, England
When Emily Kirby agreed to be part of The Artist’s Studio, I did a serious happy wiggle. I’ve been following Emily’s work for quite some time and I have to say I’m obsessed. Born in Zambia in the early ‘80s, Emily uses striking colors and shapes that draw you in by telling a powerful story. The subjects she paints are inspired by struggle, whether it’s climate change, species extinction, or the civil rights movement. Her work is wild and out of this world. Sigh…Let’s get even more obsessed, shall we?
What’s your first memory of making work?
Probably at school. I remember painting two baby chimps. My godmother found it the other day and now has it up on her wall.
Mfuwe Family by Emily Kirby
How did you find the medium you currently work in? Do you switch it up?
I’m currently working with both oils and acrylic’s. I also like to add crayon, pencil, pastels.
“Exploring materials and how they can work together is really important to me.”
How do you feel about artists working in more mediums than one? Do you think it’s best for artist’s to stick with one medium?
Not at all, I really respect artists that use different mediums to communicate their ideas. I would love to work with textiles and sculpture in the future. But for now I’m still engrossed in paint.
Crouching Woman by Emily Kirby
Do you have a degree in art or are you self-taught? If you received a degree in art, did you go straight into making art full time or was it a different journey? When was the “a-ha!” moment where you decided to take on art as a career? Tell me your “I am an artist” story!
I studied art up to foundation level. I intended to study an art degree but wanted to gain some more life experience to inform my work. I took a few years to travel and live in different places, always working on paintings here and there.
“Towards the end of a year’s trip around Europe and Africa in 2009, my partner and I rented a flat in Stone Town in Zanzibar for two months. I decided I’d use this time to paint a collection inspired by our travels, to take back to the UK.”
People really liked the work and I sold most of them through word of mouth and an exhibition with a friend in Prague. We moved to London and I decided I wanted to use the money to rent a studio and have a go at painting full time. I still think about going back to study now and then, but to be honest I feel happy to work through my ideas in the studio at the moment.
Mother and Child by Emily Kirby
Tell me about your creative space! Do you an in-home studio or do you rent a space? Do you prefer one over the other if you’ve experienced both types of spaces? Is your studio messy or organized?
Just before lock down I left my studio. I am now working from home. I like both options. It’s great to have more space and be able to make a real mess, however I enjoy being able to wander into your studio at any time and work when the moment takes you. I‘m about to move to a flat with a large home studio space of its own, so I should have the best of both world soon.
Do you work on multiple pieces at once?
Yes I do work on multiple pieces, especially when working with oils, and when some paintings a long time to finish.
What are you currently working on?
Smaller figurative pieces, often with women or girls interacting with animals or each other.
Connecting by Emily Kirby
What inspires your work?
People and wildlife in different places I have lived or travelled through.
How do you balance real life and art making? Do you schedule your creative time? Do you create everyday?
I try to get a balance but painting can often take over at times. But that’s okay, I’m not complaining. I try to take weekends off.
How do you feel about social media in the art world?
I think it’s amazing. It’s easier to connect with other artists, galleries and collectors now. They can get a good idea of you and your work by visiting your social handles online now. But you need to be careful not to let it influence your work or suck your time and energy.
What message do you hope comes across through your work?
“Our relationships with each other and the natural world around us is worth celebrating and fighting for.”
Two Dancers by Emily Kirby