Bio
Emma Spreadborough (b.2000) is an Irish artist who works predominantly in the photographic media. Her art practice is widely influenced by Irish literature, history, and folklore.
In her most recent work, You Mustn’t Go Looking, Emma has been inspired by the writing of Brian Friel in Dancing at Lughnasa. She uses the analogies of his writing to explore the ideas of the Irish home and landscape in the wake of recent Northern Irish history.
Emma is a recent graduate of Swansea College of Art, where she graduated with First Class Honours from the Bachelors Photography in the Arts course (2020-23).
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE & SKILL
contact: emma.spreadborough@gmail.com
instagram:
@emma.spreadborough
She is a studio owner at Flax Art Studios, Belfast within the Emerging Artists Programme, where she is continuing her practice. In April 2024, Emma was selected as an artist in residence at Digital Arts Studios, Belfast from April - July 2024.
In 2023, Emma worked with Abbey Primary School, Neath to organise and co-ordinate a range of photography workshops. These workshops encouraged a creative response to Welsh landscape for years 3 and 4. Spreadborough has also co-led a workshop for Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr through Swansea College of Art (2023).
Emma helped instal Gareth Philips’ The Abysm (2021) in Elysium, Swansea and was an intern at Ffotogallery, Cardiff (2023)
AWARDS
Emma is a recipient of the Alan Whatley award (2023). Entailing a year of mentorship and a group exhibition at the Griffith Gallery, Swansea in November 2024.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024
Royal Arcade Academy - Group Exhibition
Arcade, Belfast
2024
Undertow - Residency Group Exhibition
DAS, Belfast
2023
Ffocws 2023 - Group exhibition
Ffotogallery, Cardiff
2023
In This Glass Jar - Group Exhibition
FLAX Art Studios, Belfast
2023
Overly Blueish - Degree Show
Copeland Gallery, London
2023
Overly Blueish - Degree Show
Swansea College of Art
2022
Phonebooks in the Attic - Group exhibition
Elysium Gallery
2022
Unbound - Group exhibition,
Swansea College of Art
2021
Soft Anatomy - Group exhibition,
Volcano gallery, Swansea
2021
230 - Group Site specific Exhibition
Swansea Castle
2021
Without Borders - Group exhibition,
Elysium Gallery
RESIDENCIES
2024 (April - July) - Digital Arts Studios HOME Residency
TALKS
2023 - ONLINE TALK in association with Ffotogallery (Ffocws 2023)
ONLINE PUBLICATIONS
2023 - Phonebooks in the attic