Emma Hopwood (McAdam-Marmont)
Emma's journey as an artist began with a profound passion for creative expression, which led her to study at ELAM, the School of Fine Art in Auckland. There, she immersed herself in sculpture, photography, and mixed media, honing her technical skills and nurturing her distinctive artistic vision. For over a decade, Emma balanced her artistic pursuits with a successful career in advertising, where she rose to the role of Television Producer at Ogilvy. Despite the creative rewards of her advertising career, Emma felt a growing tension between her professional life and her true calling as an artist. In 2016, she and her husband Struan made a life-altering decision to leave behind their careers in Melbourne and settle in Daylesford, dedicating themselves entirely to their shared passion for painting.
Today, Emma’s work is celebrated for its textured, layered compositions, where acrylic and spray paint meet in dynamic harmony. She uses tools like palette knives, spatulas, and sponges to build works that invite both tactile and visual exploration. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and her love of texture, Emma’s paintings evoke introspection, emotion, and a soft tonal aesthetic that resonates deeply with viewers.
Emma's artistic practice is defined by two signature series that showcase her evolving exploration of the human form and personal identity. Her Suits series delves into the subtle shifts in corporate attire across generations and genders, capturing the intricate details of buttons, fabrics, and textures with a gritty, tactile approach. This series reflects her keen eye for nuance and her desire to explore the intersection of tradition & modernity in corporate life.
In contrast, Emma’s more recent work examines the female body through a series of intimate, often meditative paintings. Drawing inspiration from photography, Emma captures the beauty and complexity of the human form in poses that suggest both modesty and empowerment. Her exploration of the body blends abstraction and figurative work, celebrating the curves and lines that define it while conveying emotional depth and strength. These works are deeply introspective, offering a quiet celebration of the body’s power and vulnerability.
Emma’s work has found a dedicated following across the globe, with her paintings gracing private and corporate collections in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, and South Africa. Her ability to connect with audiences from diverse backgrounds is a testament to the universal appeal of her themes—emotions, memory, and the human experience. Whether it’s the intimate contemplation of the figure or the layered textures of her abstract works, Emma’s art invites viewers into a personal space where emotion and form collide.
Always evolving and experimenting with new materials and techniques, Emma’s work remains a deeply personal journey of self-expression and social observation. She draws inspiration from her surroundings, often developing her concepts through conversations and her observations of the world. This spirit of experimentation and exploration is evident not only in her individual works but also in her collaborative projects with Struan. Together, they explore new frontiers in art, blending their individual styles into unique pieces that span a range of genres, from figurative works infused with graffiti elements to surreal landscapes and pop art-inspired creations. These collaborations have added a new dimension to Emma’s creative practice, allowing her to push boundaries and expand her artistic vision in exciting and unexpected ways.
Emma continues to embrace her artistic evolution, constantly seeking new ways to connect with others through her work. As her art continues to resonate with collectors and art lovers around the world, she remains committed to her practice, always exploring new ideas, techniques, and expressions that reflect her personal journey.