Emma O’Rourke creates symbolic expressions of her experiences as a woman. She uses flowers and shells as a metaphor with biomorphic and gestural renderings.

Scratching, dripping latex on to and drawing into her paintings with graphite, Emma brings an urban element which nods to her formative years spent in London town. Introducing impasto by layering dried paint and petals, O'Rourke's work evolves physically as well as visually, resulting in sensuous, soulful expressions. The drips are often representing tears to celebrate the feminine, and O’Rourke’s personal childhood experiences.

Orchids, peonies and shells play similar roles in Emma’s paintings. They each embody their own independent experiences in her life. Peonies embrace a full and rich body. Their enticing softness and texture of the petals are an inspiration. Orchids with their sublime presence also symbolize calm and longevity, whilst shells fascinate with their circular center, and the thought of their drift to the shore, their journey and our subsequent find relate to the continual search for beauty and perfection – another preeminent theme pervading Emma’s haunting works.