Art lovers from far and wide flocked to a large-scale exhibition launched by a popular Salford creative.
Emma Evans brought 35 pieces of artwork spanning six collections from her studio in Monton to the Victoria & Albert Marriott Hotel on Friday, describing the ‘Retrospect Kaleidoscope’ showcase as a “celebration of Salford and Manchester’s thriving artistic community.”
The former fashion designer created many of the artworks in collaboration with other local creatives and, standing on stage as she soaked up the adulation of a packed crowd, thanked those who had supported and contributed to her work.
“In the past eight years, I have taken a bet on myself by leaving fashion design to become an artist,” she explained.
“Along the way, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing creatives, from photographers to poets and tonight is a celebration of the journey.”
Emma described how daunting it was to leave the comfort of her career in fashion design and take a chance on pursuing her art.
“When I was a fashion designer, I’d get these briefs, and I loved it, and I found it really easy,” she said. “But I was designing somebody else’s brief, and it wasn’t attached to me.
“I decided that I wanted to take a punt on myself and create art, but it took about six months because of the pressure I put on myself. I really questioned myself: ‘What do I want to say? What colours do I like?’ There were all these unexpected pressures.”
Emma remembered advice from her mother-in-law to help ignite her creative spark.
“I had her voice in my head saying, ‘put paint to canvas and trust your intuition,’ and that’s when my work started to flow. Even to this day, eight years into the whole process, that remains my mantra: put paint to canvas and trust your intuition.”
That affirmation has served Emma well. Since leaving her career behind, she has gone on to create artwork for sportswear giant Nike, produce colourful murals across Northwich, and act as creative lead for the Lancaster-based arts festival Highest Point.
These projects sit alongside her ongoing work in painting and illustration from her Salford studio on Monton High Street.
Emma drew attention to one collaboration in the exhibition called My Utopia, created with photographer Richard Kelly.
“The works transform still, empty scenes into hopeful and uplifting moments filled with mischievous characters and positive energy,” she noted.
Also featured was Supermarket Streets, created in collaboration with photographer Chris Massey. Guests gathered around the collection, which explores themes of consumerism and escape through images of abandoned supermarket trolleys set within natural landscapes, with Evans painting directly onto the photographs to reimagine their form and setting.
“When I first started creating artwork, I felt quite exposed; that was the main procrastination,” she explained. I felt like a bit of a fraud, but now I know what I am and the messages I want to deliver. My work is about colour, joy, community and love.”
As fellow creatives milled around the exhibition to look at Emma’s art on the walls, there were many gathered to listen to poetry readings from Lisa O’Hare and Matt Concannon and danced to live music from Chris Massey.
“I feel unbelievably that so many beautiful people appreciate my work and have turned out tonight. Hopefully, I’ll see them at the studio.”
Evans’ studio sits above Wandering Palate, an upmarket neighbourhood bottle shop and deli specialising in low-interventionwines, craft beer and artisan goods sourced from independent producers that she owns with her husband Will.
“Will does his wine tastings and upstairs I showcase my work in the gallery and host life drawing sessions there. It’s a great space where I can express myself and create new work.
“Moving to Monton and opening the shop has been fantastic, you are surrounded by nature, the energy along the high street is brilliant and there’s a real sense of community.
“Hopefully, the exhibition has been a celebration of the brilliant artists behind the area’s creative scene,” she said.
More information about the Retrospect Kaleidoscope exhibition, which runs until 31 July, is available on Emma’s Instagram page.
