Emma Spreadborough (b. 2000) is an Irish artist based in Belfast. Working mainly in the photographic media, her work focuses on the landscape of Ireland in the wake of recent history. Influenced by Irish Literature, history and folklore, she explores the supernatural and otherworldly within the home and outdoors.
Emma graduated with First Class Honours from the BA Photography in the Arts course at Swansea College of Art (2020 -23). Since returning to Northern Ireland, she has moved her practice to Belfast, where she is a studio owner within the Emerging Artists programme at Flax Art Studios.
She has exhibited her work in Ffotogallery (Cardiff), The Copeland Gallery (London) and currently has her first Solo show in Photo Museum Ireland (Dublin) until 29th June 2025.
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.
2020-23 - BA Photography in the Arts, Swansea College of Art
EDUCATION
contact: emma.spreadborough@gmail.com
instagram: @emma.spreadborough
EXPERIENCE & SKILL
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
2025 - Nominated, Hendrik teNeues Photography Award
2025 - Nominated, London Photo X Hahnemuhle Student Award
2023/24 - Winner, Alan Whatley Award
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
SOLO
Currently - 29th June 2025
You Mustn't Go Looking
GROUP
Currently
Soft Cover - Group Exhibition
Stiwdio Griffith, Swansea
2025
Portrait of Belfast - Group Exhibition
Belfast Exposed, Belfast
2024
Alan Whatley Award - Group Exhibition
Stiwdio Griffith, Swansea
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 FEATURES
2025 - PhMuseum Guide to May 2025 Photography Festivals and Exhibitions
2025 - Emma Spreadborough @ Photo Museum Ireland (Fstop Magazine)
2025 - PhMuseum
2025 - Photo Museum Ireland 2025 Exhibition Program
2024 - Digital Arts Studios
2023 - Ffotogallery Ffocus 2023
2023 - Source Graduate Photography 2023
2023 - Phonebooks in the attic
PUBLICATIONS
2025 - 'You Mustn't Go Looking' Exhibition Catalogue
Photo Museum Ireland
2025 - Soft Cover
Photo Swansea