About, Selected Exhibitions & Residencies

I grew up in West Cornwall, surrounded by big skies, sea air, and shifting light, which naturally shaped the way I see colour and texture. I studied Fine Art at Bath Spa University and later became an Art Teacher, spending years encouraging others to trust their creativity. In 2021, I decided to step fully into my own practice and focus on making work that felt personal and honest.

My paintings are rooted in colour, energy, and a sense of place. I’m inspired by the outdoors, the sea, everyday moments, and the landscapes that have stayed with me over time. A lot of what I make comes from memory, conversations, family time, small details that stick and I translate those feelings into abstract, expressive work.

I mostly paint in acrylic, building up layers and often working on a few pieces at once. I draw back into the surface with oil bar to connect areas of colour and create movement. There’s always an element of play in my process. I want the work to feel alive and uplifting.

At its heart, my work is a visual diary. It’s my way of processing the world around me and sharing it in a way that feels open, accessible, and full of colour.

Where to find my art?

Interrupted Art

SOTA Marketplace

Emily Hadley - EMUPLOPS

Art in Offices

Selected exhibitions/Residencies

2025 October - Wild Within, Group Show, Centrespace Gallery, Bristol. 2025 May/June DIVE - Emily Hadley and Suze Riley, Midland Road, Bristol. 2024 December HUG ME, HOURS, Bristol - 2024 November - Bank House, Chislehurst, 2024 November - The Winter Show Inspire x Kristjana J Williams, Narbonne, France - 2024 November - Interupted Art, Fizrovia Gallery, London 2024 - October The Other Art Fair, London, The Truman Brewery, 2024 September - Aktinson Gallery 'Women in Abstraction' Group Show - 2024 May - Long Listed for Visual Artist Association - 2024 April - Mention in Grazia Casa 2024 March - The Other Art Fair, London, Truman Brewery - 2023 December - Group Show Art & People/That Art Gallery, Bristol. - 2023 October - Women in Art Fair - Mall Galleries, London - 2023 August - Long Listed for Women in Art Prize - 2023 May - RWA Friends Exhibition, Bristol - 2023 May - Long Listed for Visual Artists Association - 2023 May - Artist Residency At the Garage, Clifton, Bristol - 2023 April - Salthouse Gallery, St. Ives. Cornwall. - 2022 Group Show Catherine Walker Gallery London - 2022 October - Solo Show - Tobacco Factory - 2022 July - The Micro Gallery Falmouth - 2022 May - Upfest, Bristol. - 2022 April - Salthouse Gallery, St. Ives. Cornwall.- 2021 Feb/March Boardwalk 'Original Features' Magazine Feature