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Emma Black is a UK based artist. She graduated in 2012 from the University of Westminster with a First Class honours degree in illustration, and in 2016 from the Cambridge school of Art with an MA in Fine Art. 

The unknown, whether an aspect of the physical world or a limitation of the human mind, is the main starting point for her work. Using mainly traditional media and autobiographical themes, her practice explores notions of The Uncanny, human subconscious and our relationship to death and the natural world.

Pretty on the Inside speaks to me personally about both the beautiful and dark sides of being a woman, it talks about weakness but there is also great strength to it. I wanted to convey these contrasts, of questioning but also fighting for your own identity. 

Tear It Wider is a piece about beauty, femininity and self image. The visible anatomy acts as a contorted representation of true beauty on the inside. Mixed with the unassuming and delicate florals, and decorating themselves with pearls and jewels, the resulting figure starts to feel more alien or akin to an object. Instead of accepting the views of others, they proudly pull themselves apart and replace their heart with a new jewelled replica, displaying their weaknesses for all to see and taking strength from this, embracing their own body.