Emma McElreavey
Degree: BA (Hons) Fine Art
University: University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN)
Graduation Year: 2023
New Blood Art Commentary
NEW BLOOD ART EMERGING ART PRIZE NOMINEE
Emma McElreavey is a recent Fine Art graduate from UCLAN who specialises in graphite drawings and storytelling. Her work explores the narratives behind the lesser noticed details in life, such as tiny cracks in the wall and unexplained noises one hears but often quickly dismisses. McElreavey uses horror to reframe the narrative of our reality. As well as this she also uses character development and narration as a primary medium to engage the viewer.
Her artwork resembles a visualisation of a horror novel, with the text weaving its way into the readers minds as they scan its surface. In this way McElreavey also states that the audiences’ imaginations become another of her mediums as no one person will interpret or visualise the same story identically. The horror builds its own structure in their minds and gives every viewer a different experience each time.
David Mackintosh, Senior Lecturer at University of Central Lancashire:
'Emma’s original and innovative contribution to Fine art incorporates an experimental approach to creative writing via installation, and stream of consciousness narrative fiction development.'
Artist Statement
There is always a story to tell about everything we see around us. Anything can be transformed into a single narrative that brings them to life in a whole new way from unexplained noises inside a location, to a tiny crack in the wall. Whilst exploring how I could tell the stories I build in my mind, I use horror, character development, and narration as the three main mediums when creating my work.
Producing my writings in an artistic way like this has allowed me to present my artwork that looks like it's been torn from a horror novel, the text working its way into people's minds as they read. In a way, you could also say that I also use the imaginations of others as a medium for my work. The viewers read my stories and imagine the events taking place, the horror built and structured in their minds differently from each other, giving the viewers a completely different experience each time.
Group Exhibitions
(2021) Kulture Klub, Hanover Project, UCLAN, Preston, Lancashire