Philes & Ists: Artwork by Emery Kennett

The moment that you pick up an object, it no longer exists on it's own. It is now yours, something which you chose yourself, and this decision becomes an act of individualism. This body of work showcases real people, the things they collect, and how it has become part of their identity. By simple act of collecting, these collectors create a world around these unremarkable objects and they become reflections of their own life. These knick knacks are the stuff of museums, of culture, civilizations, community, and evolution; and yet it is second nature, a habit, an impulse.

Emery Kennett is inspired by people’s interpretations of life and the different ways they work to make a place for themselves in the world. She is also fascinated by the act of giving stories and meaning to things as a way to communicate ideas. Combining her illustrative painting style and collage, Kennett expresses the scavenged and imagined aspects of the world people create for themselves.