Emma Caton

Emma Caton studied at the University of the West of England (UWE) from 1994 to 1997 and gained an honours degree in Fine Art. Pausing only to add a Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching, Emma has been involved in the visual arts scene in Bristol ever since.

“I guess my work is an attempt to develop a visual/sensual vocabulary that explores archetypes of contemporary cultural experiences from a personal point of view. Sometimes subjects and themes relate to specific individuals, their anecdotes and experiences, sometimes they are personal to me.

Often there is a sense of irony, cynicism and dark humour motivating my choice of subject or materials. Always there is a deep compassion and concern for human states of isolation, displacement, love, obsession, courage, fragility and loss.

Over the years I have developed a wide range of disciplines to express my ideas. I have pushed the boundaries of existing techniques and learnt some new ones. All of which help create pieces of work that trigger a dialogue within the viewer. Responses to my work have often been emotional; expressions of joy, grief, amusement; relief at being understood.

In all my work, I try to express common experience via forms of elegant visual poetry in the hope of gaining a deeper sense of connection. And maybe even discovering a sense of purpose along the way.” EC

Emma was a founder member of NEON, a group of like-minded artists sharing a passion and a commitment, a belief in excellence, ambition and hard work. NEON is a quest for truth and for beauty and was formed in 2012 from a small group of artists from different disciplines but similar attitudes. Fellow members were Rowdy, Jack Addis, Harry Simmonds, Marcus Lanyon, Ben Risk, Olivia Croce and Lucy Rogers.