EMMA J WILSON

ARTIST BIO

Emma J. Wilson (she/her) is an educator and artist based in North Carolina. She explores absurdist depictions of the human form through the lens of ceramic sculpture. Raised in Oxford, Mississippi, she earned her BFA degree from the University of Mississippi in 2017. In 2020, she received her MFA with a focus on sculptural ceramics from Bowling Green State University. Since graduating, she has exhibited in museums, like the Hickory Museum of Art and the Asheville Art Museum, and has been invited to lead workshops, demonstrations, and firings at institutions like Brevard College, Blue Ridge Community College, and Jackson Green Energy Park.

Her artistic research delves into the intersection between the complexities of human behavior, posthumanism, and the philosophical concept of absurdism. Her pedagogical research is currently fueled by Catawba Valley Community College, Mitchell Community College, and her work with the science-based education company Fit Learning. Lately, this research has been focused on applied learning, the reclamation of lost cognitive capacity, and culturally responsible teaching.


ARTIST STATEMENT

Through surreal, clay sculptures and ritualistic vessels, my work delves into the intersection between the complexities of human behavior, posthumanism, and the philosophical concepts of absurdism. Fingers, a recurring motif in these sculptures, represent a universal human desire for communication, touch, and understanding, fundamental to both our physicality and social nature. By transforming these ubiquitous elements into visually ridiculous characters and vessels, I explore the abstract qualities of humanity, particularly the inherent absurdity of existence.

The absurd, as articulated by Albert Camus, reflects our continuous search for meaning and purpose in a world where neither are known to exist. My sculptures embody this paradox, celebrating the absurdity of life while embracing bliss, play, and curiosity. The seemingly nonsensical nature of my work is an acknowledgment of the absurd, both in human existence and often in the creative process itself.

Through my ornate chalices, trophies, and religious vessels, I explore the rituals surrounding objects and their connection to the preciousness of intimacy. These particular forms serve as extravagant tributes to connection, compassion, and understanding, offering an absurd yet sincere homage to human interaction.