ARTIST STATEMENT
As a first-generation American artist, my work draws inspiration from Middle Eastern and Eastern European cultures, specifically focusing on the aspects of womanhood they reveal. My art reflects my journey as a daughter in a family of daughters raised by a single mother. I use my practice to challenge harmful ideologies around sex and consumption, promoting sisterhood and self-preservation. I play with the idea of intimacy as violence as destruction is synonymous with individual eroticism. My artistic expression is not limited to a single medium but expands across various forms, including fibers, textiles, painting, print, and sculpture. My work is deeply personal, with the subject matter buried within the visual and physical frameworks of the human body. I create an immersive experience where the boundaries of color merge with effeminate vibrancy, evoking a visceral response that combines hyper-pop with an overwhelming sense of love and longing. In this space, art and identity intertwine, celebrating our shared humanity in a way that invites the viewer to step into the world I’ve created.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Emma Xhaxho is a Chicago-based artist pursuing her BFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to print media, painting, sculpture, and fibers.
© Emma Xhaxho