Emmette Lewis

Emmette, b. 1997, is a South African and Canadian multidisciplinary artist, now based in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up in British Columbia, her work took inspiration from B.C’s diverse environmental ecology and harmonized that with traditional stylistic practices of South African art. Emmette studied at Emily Carr University before moving to Toronto and completing her Honors BFA at York University circa 2023. Currently, she is completing her MFA at OCAD in their Interdisciplinary Arts, Media and Design Program. Emmette has showcased at contemporary galleries and museums such as Elaine Fleck Gallery, Museum of Dufferin and the Art Gallery of Mississauga along with artist exhibitions such as Nuit Blanche, Artist Project Toronto and The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair. Primarily, her creative focus regards subjects that obscure reality and question representation by composing diverse visual narratives. Through oils, textiles and mixed media, she creates abstract reflections that seek to deconstruct societal norms and archetypes, offering a deeper exploration of how our environments, histories, and collective experiences influence our core sense of self. The foundation of her art explores ideas that look to be devoid of conventional adaptations of belonging and community. Emmette’s paintings are reflective of personal intimacies, relationships, and diasporic identity.