Statement
Inspired by the urban landscape of Chicago, I paint vacant lots, El tracks, neighborhood houses, fast food restaurants, and construction sites. These ordinary scenes share a strong sense of locality but also belong to a larger American landscape and culture. Painting is an active practice for me, an exploration of beauty and resonance in daily life.
Bio
Emily Rapport studied painting at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York and received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2005.
Emily has exhibited her work in numerous non-traditional spaces, organizing and promoting pop-up shows as well as exhibiting her work in New York, Los Angeles, and Amsterdam.
An active participant in her community, Emily was significantly involved in building what has become the Ravenswood Art Walk, initially an annual tour of arts and industry in Ravenswood Corridor for Chicago Artists’ Month. She has worked with representatives of the arts community including the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Artists’ Resource to propose reforms to zoning and business licensing requirements as they relate to creative practices. In 2011, Emily was awarded the “Ravenswood Arts Advocate” award by the Ravenswood Art Walk.
In October 2018, Emily opened a storefront studio and gallery space, Eat Paint Studio, on the North side of Chicago. During its 4-year run the space curated exhibitions of emerging and mid-career artists and hosted local musicians for free, evening performances to complement the visual art experience. She lives and works in the Ravenswood area of Chicago.
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