Emily Glass

In my work, I explore the politics of what becomes part of our lives and what it may indicate about our culture. Large panoramic paintings to small-enclosed charcoal and pencil drawings make up the current boundaries of my work. Using traditional drawing and painting methods to find and hold form and space, I create figures, often plants or animals, engaged with each other, while aware of the viewer's presence.

The self-aware figures are at times actively poised in the space around them, yet at other times passive in demeanor and intent. I find inspiration for these socially aware figures from the study of cadavers in biology departments, insects in entomology museums, local herd animals in paddock enclosures, and from a range of cultivated and wild plant life found in the communities I reside in. The similarly barren landscapes of the cold labs, clean insect boxes, manmade watering holes and kitchen counters influence the environments I construct, where in the model often becomes the emphasis.

Some issues explored in my work relate to identity, perception and privilege. Recently I have shifted into more plant-based work, exploring the significance of what does or doesn't make it into our daily routines. Is a piece of arugula liberal, provocative and privileged, or is it a simple kitchen salad? The politics and class systems of a garden have become one of my points of investigation. As momentum towards new work, I continue to study plant-based structures, incorporating personal reflections on social interactions, and building upon a network of friends and colleagues to discover new source material.