About
Emma Barford is a visual artist working in London and Northampton, UK. She has experience facilitating the creative learning process in educational and community settings.
Current Research
"My practice takes a multi-media approach fluctuating between painting, drawing and digital media; the approach taken is narrative driven; observing, listening and gathering information. I am particularly interested in visually articulating the modern complex of feeling disconnected or isolated whilst in the company of others. Today's digital environment creates a 'need’ to feel connected and constantly on the move, yet with this comes an overriding sense of disconnection from, distrust and self-doubt in our environment.
To do this, basic principles of animation are applied to traditional 'still' art forms such as anthropomorphic form, naivety and self deprecating humour. This not only emphasizes the subject matters humanistic qualities but also value as an 'object'; its place in history - a past, present and a future.
The narratives of this suspended state, trap subjects within familiar spaces, just out of reach and provide momentary escapism into an alternative reality. There is a focus on themes such as anxiety, uneasiness, unsettled sense of place and location, hyperactivity even."
Selected Exhibitions, Projects & Awards
2018 - 19
>December 3028 - January 2019 Rugby Open18 - Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, Rugby,Warwickshire,UK
>13th January-17th March 2018 NN Open, NN Contemporary, Northampton; Selected by Kaavous Clayton, Jules Devonshire & Roxy Walsh
2017
>Community Cohesion Through Art- Arts Grant Benn Partnership Centre, Rugby,Warwickshire,UK
2016
<<<Fast F0rward/Rewind>>>, Punctum Gallery, London
>Express Art & Craft- Arts Grant, Benn Partnership Centre, Rugby,Warwickshire, UK
2015
>Summer Salon, Islington Art Factory, London
>Pop-up group exhibition, Broadway Studios, Tooting, London
2014
>Networked, Degree Show, Chelsea College of Arts - Info
>Suspend_ed - Interim Show, Cook House Gallery, London - Blog
>Emma Barford & Emily Kathryn Stevens Pop-up Show, Chelsea College of Art
>Camden Pop-Up Show, group exhibition, London
2013
>Postgraduate study award Windle Charitable Trust
>Intro Show,Cook House Gallery, London
>Arts Academy,Painting Workshops,Warwickshire
>Not Knowing,Chelsea Salon Project - Blog
2011 -12
>Talking Portraits, Rugby Art Gallery & Museum (Outreach project exhibitions, exploring Victorian and World War Portraiture with local schools and community groups)
2010
>Painted Light, Free Range London Graduate Show - The Old Truman Brewery, London - Info
>Painted Light, Degree Show, The University of Northampton - Info
2009
>15 x 15: (h)ours - Avenue Gallery, Northampton
>Spring Show - Avenue Gallery, Northampton
2008
>15 x 15: Exploring Drawing, Avenue Gallery, Northampton
2007
> Freezing Art Fair , The Fishmarket Gallery, Northampton
>15 x 15: Light - Avenue Gallery, Northampton
Education
MA Fine Art, Chelsea College of Arts; The University of the Arts London, 2014
BA (Hons) Fine Art, The University of Northampton, 2010
BA (Hons) Fine Art, The University of Northampton, 2010
* Please contact for a full, up-to-date CV.
