Emma-Kate hart

Emma-Kate Hart is an emerging artist from the inner-west of Sydney, residing on the lands of the Gadigal and Wangal clans of the Eora nation.
Hart is a Neon Bender by trade, a rare artisan skill-set that takes a decade to master. One of few traditional neon glass workers still operating in the country; spending years researching the craft from textbooks and seeking out any remaining artisans to train under. Her career has been defined by a sheer dedication to her medium.

“Having a direct relationship with my medium is a vital part of my artmaking. I believe this intimacy with materials allows me to push past set limitations and break boundaries, creating challenging work beyond standard applications and expectations. The labor dedicated to pursuing a Mastercraft unlocks hidden secrets of yourself. The alchemy and science of Neon Glass blowing shed light on the pure magic of the natural world. I take these lessons into everything I create.

I utilize the medium of Neon to make poetic links between the lights illuminating our cities and the culture that breeds beneath them. I am drawn to a synthesis of the dream-like aesthetic of Capitalism and its cultural repercussions on individuals and communities. I utilize Neon as my primary medium for its enormous communicative power through its continued importance within our society, both in commercial and poetic applications for over a century. I attempt to rework the medium’s long-held associations with commerce and control to instead give voice to the individual or natural worlds who feel silenced within these systems.”

Hart has exhibited her work both nationally & internationally. She was awarded Artist in Residency at Canberra Glass Works in 2017,  where the work completed was selected as a finalist for the Hindmarsh Prize. She exhibits internationally with the collective "She Bends, Women in Neon." Other galleries of note include The Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles, Gaffa Gallery, Fisher’s Ghost Art Prize, and Saint Cloche. She is currently working on a large-scale public artwork for Vivid Sydney, 2023.

Commissions

Please consider supporting my creative projects to help me continue to make new & unique works.
I have experience in design, shop drawing, neon glass-blowing & neon installation with a background in public art.
You can support me by buying or commissioning an original work of art, or ordering from my online shop.
I am available for public works and events. Please contact me for hire.