Gina D’Emilio

“Fever”

Collage of hand cut printed papers, fabric ink, India ink wash, translucent sticker paper, and hand drawn hectograph additions on paper

50” x 27” unframed, 56” x 33” framed

2020

Bio:

Gina D’Emilio is an east coast living on the west coast whose mediums have evolved with the content in her works. Her art making processes include printmaking, drawing and transfer techniques, collage, sculpture, and video/sound editing. Her subjects include the human form, natural science, and keeps mental health awareness at the forefront of her work. Gina has a bachelor’s degree in art education from Holy Family University and a master’s degree in studio art from Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She works professionally as a secondary art teacher in San Francisco, a studio art mentor, and full-time artist. Gina is currently showing her work at Life in San Francisco.

Artist Statement:

Repetition and revision are central to the narrative of my work. I’m inspired by the shifting boundaries between documentary and fiction in the context of close attachments to people, events, and places. I start by recalling unexpected trauma from my past where I find patterns in the sounds of verbal arguments, and I draw inspiration from music that has contrasting harmonic & melodic rhythms. I trace, transfer, and layer colorful and subdued translucent film, paint, and ink over drawings and photographs that are direct source material from the trauma I’ve kept to myself. I choose to use materials that remind me of changes consistent with manic behavior, like color changing reflective paper, and textures that give me feelings of being comfortable, uncomfortable, calm, bold, loose, and tight. Sometimes I use colors with qualities that bring attention to the calm in spite of the chaos, like black and white.