Emilia Symis graduated from Norwich University of the Arts in 2019 with a BA(Hons) degree in Fine Art, in the same year she was fortunate enough to make the final of the John Ruskin Prize and was awarded the winner of the Bishop’s Art Prize. Since graduating, Emilia has exhibited across the country and sold work worldwide.
Using food and flowers as her subject, Emilia creates weird and wonderful paintings that catch the eye. She is drawn to this subject matter because of the vivid colours but also because of their desirability and purity, thus allowing her to tarnish it in her artwork. Emilia's paintings are initially designed to be beautiful or delicious, but when dissected, they can sometimes have an unexpected or peculiar undertone. Underneath the bright colours and dazzling textures, Emilia's paintings can also depict deeper societal or environmental issues that usually become apparent after reading the title of the artwork.
To read more about each painting, please click on the Flowers or Food and Drink pages, and then click on the painting of interest. You can email Emilia at emilia.symis@gmail.com if you have any further questions.
Education
2016 - 2019
BA(Hons) Fine Art, Norwich University of the Arts
Awards
2019
2019
2020
Winner - Bishop's Art Prize
Finalist - John Ruskin Prize
Runner-up - Sworders Art Prize
Exhibitions
Solo
2018
Razzle Dazzle, Nunnsyard, Norwich
2020
A Feast for the Senses, The Corn Hall, Diss
2021
Vivid Memories, Anteros Arts Foundation, Norwich
2023
Flora Chromatica, The Crypt Gallery, Norwich
2023
Pop-up Exhibition, East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft
Group
2018
Botanical Response, John Innes Centre, Norwich
2018
Arouse, Fairhurst Gallery, Norwich
2019
NUA Degree Show, Norwich
2019
Bishop's Art Prize: Streams in the Desert, Norwich
2019
Free Range, The Truman Brewery, London
2019
John Ruskin Prize: Agent of Change, Holden Gallery, Manchester
2019
Feasting on Femininity, Les Fêtes Galantes, London
Recent Graduate Exhibition, Battersea Spring Affordable Art Fair, London
2020
Sworders Art Prize, Holt Festival, Holt
2021
2020, King House Gallery, Stratford-Upon-Avon
2021
IEA Open Exhibition, The Gallery, Holt
2021
Sworders Art Prize, Holt Festival, Holt
2022
Art in Mind & Contemporary Painting, The Brick Lane Gallery, London
2022
Sworders Art Prize, Holt Festival, Holt
2022
Fauna & Flora, Yare Gallery, Great Yarmouth
2022
Food For All, Kingshill House, Dursley
2023
IEA Open Exhibition, The Gallery, Holt
2023
Cellophane Wrapper, Proteus Creation Space, Basingstoke
2023
2023
2024
2024
2024
2024
Sir John Hurt Prize, Holt Festival, Holt
A Matter of Taste, Babylon Arts, Ely
An Artist's Refuge, Parndon Mill, Harlow
Out of the Grey, Parndon Mill, Harlow
Serving Gluttony, Unit London, (Online Exhibition)
Blossoms & Brushtrokes, Cambridge Artworks, Cambridge
2024
FYS Summer Exhibition, Fox Yard Studio, Stowmarket
2024
Sir John Hurt Prize, Church Hall, Holt
2024
East 24, The Bank Gallery, Eye
2024
Summer Open Exhibition, Babylon Gallery, Ely