Emily Brodrick

Using what are considered craft mediums, such as crochet, knitting, cut-paper and ceramics, Emily Brodrick creates sculptures and installations that are reminiscent of living organisms and environments, wildly distorted in size, shape and color. The multi-media works are often highly detailed, vibrantly colorful, tactile, and organic. Her almost obsessive interest in repetitive, intricate, tedious detail is evident as she creates or covers her works with all-encompassing patterns. Brodrick sees her work not just as a series of pieces, but a living world of interrelated species. She explores themes such as gender stereotypes, craft traditions, natural forms and play, and aims to question our stereotypical notions of what we consider craft vs. art. Brodrick uses the accessibility of craft – its beauty, texture, color and decoration – to examine our culture’s classist notions of what is considered high vs. low art. Her work invites viewers to approach, be curious, sometimes even play with and hopefully ask themselves “What is craft and what is art?”

Emily Brodrick grew up on Long Island, New York. She received her BA from Hampshire College in 2014, where her study of fiber art culminated in a solo show titled “Why Color Makes Me Giggle”. Brodrick's work has been included in exhibitions throughout New England, as well as New York and Maryland. In November of 2018, Brodrick installed her largest work to date, “Collective Growth”, a cut paper mural comprised of over 170 vibrantly colorful, floral motifs. The mural is a permanent installation at the Cambridge offices of Facebook Boston as part of the Facebook AIR Program. Her most recent solo show, “What We Choose to Keep” took place in February 2019 at the Kingston Gallery.

Fountain Street Exhibitions: Space Invaders, Read Between the Lines (December 2019)