Bio

Emma Lake is an intermedia artist working predominantly in acrylic, oils and pen. Illustration is central to Lake's work as her synesthesia guides her depiction of figure, form and colour. Lake's synesthesia correlates sound and emotional response to colour and form. Through painting, Lake explores the relationship between her physical and intangible landscapes. However, the recurring characters in her work do not solely personify the intangible overwhelming sensory experience's Lake has but are concurrently her companions. Lake utilises these characters as a ritualistic therapy as she compulsively visualises the feelings she can't capture in words. 

The Constant

’The Constant’ explores the experience of synesthesia. Lake contemplates the relationship between Lake's intangible sensory experiences and tangibly physical world. Lake created, ’The Constant’, to initiate a journey of understanding, questioning: Where did these recurring characters come from?; Why are they here?; What do they mean to me at present?; and How do they interact with her everyday environment? 

The Constant, Panel 1, 2022, Acrylic and pen on wood panel, 244 x 122.3 x 5.3cm
The Constant, Panel 1, 2022, Acrylic and pen on wood panel, 244 x 122.3 x 5.3cm
They're Real To Me

To visualise this dichotomy of the intangible vs tangible, Lake depicts her recurring characters weaving through the panel's abstract landscape. They navigate the plains between 'solid' black obstacles which represent the physical world, and more fluid forms, representing her synesthesia. Moreover, the triptych composition of these three panels is a nod to the artist's Catholic upbringing. Though Lake does not practice Catholicism the ritualistic and meditative practice of drawing these recurring characters echoes the act of prayer.

They're Real To Me, In Situ
They're Real To Me, In Situ
Sound & Performance

Through her Fine Art practice, Lake explores the experience of synesthesia. In her performance work Lake collaborates with musicians in club contexts, painting in response to the surrounding environment and music. Additionally, through her sound work, Lake seeks to encapsulate the cross-over cacophony of senses she experiences through synesthesia - layering 'found sounds' into dense landscapes. 

Spare-Rib Performance, Collaboration with Harvey Furness

Video document from Spare-Rib Performance, collaborating with the DJ Harvey Furness. In this performance Lake responded organically to Furness' DJ set, allowing her synesthesia to guide form and colour. 

Audio: From performance set, by Harvey Furness

Video: Olivia Jo

Spare-Rib Performance, 2022
Spare-Rib Performance, 2022
The City Stirs, 2021

In the City Stirs, Lake layers 'found' sounds which she has collected whilst wandering around Edinburgh, weaving them into a tapestry of daily artefacts. 

Skills & Experience
  • REVOLT-ING Art & Techno Night, Summerhall, Edinburgh, 2022
  • Spare-Rib Art & Music Night, The Caves, Edinburgh, Feb 2022
  • Did You Miss Me?, Sculpture Court, Edinburgh, Jan 2022
  • Laser Run, Sculpture Court, Edinburgh, Dec 2021
  • This & That, The Blunt Knife Gallery, Edinburgh, Oct 2021
  • Tier 5, Digital Exhibition, Edinburgh, March 2021
  • ERROR 404, Digital Exhibition, Feb 2021
  • Works on Paper, The Rafiki Gallery, Digital Exhibition, Dec 2020
  • Autonomy Collective, White Space Gallery, Edinburgh, March 2020
  • Reid Concert Hall, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, March 2020
  • MAFA, Sculpture Court, Edinburgh, Feb 2020