Artist Statement

I am an emotive artist who understands my experiences through creative expression. I’m curious about the things we don’t talk about- the emotional complexities and impact of interpersonal relationships, what it means to struggle in a transactional and consumptive culture and the inherent beauty that exists despite reductive value systems.

I am fascinated by connection and influenced by daydreams of bodies within bodies and worlds within worlds. Intrigued by hylozoism, I meditate on the shared brilliance of everything in existence and honor the individuality and unique expressions of life.

Within my practices I seek to find solace from the subtractive nature of performance and our world’s preoccupation with status and consumption. I want my work to challenge me and to antagonize unconscious living. I am looking for a connection to something deeper, a universal truth to feel confronted or comforted by and I hope that the viewer sees something recognizable in my work.

-James Emmett

Artist Bio

James Emmett (he/they) is a multi-disciplinarian trans artist.

James (born 1978) lives and works in Chicago, Il. He/they co-owned a pet boutique in Chicago’s Northside neighborhood, Andersonville before selling it in September of 2020 to pursue woodworking full time. In April of 2022, James discovered abstract painting and since it has become his primary focus.

James Emmett, now in his mid 40’s, has largely rejected pedigree and traditional academic industries. He is a student of life- leaving community college after one month at the age of 19 to pursue lessons outside of the classroom, James continues to grow his proficiencies in the same spirit- a little intuition, curiosity, practice, a smidge of google and an occasional online course.

James’ work investigates existentialism, confronts transphobic ideology, explores the subconscious.