Rosie Emerson

Rosie Emerson (b. 1981) is a UK-based contemporary artist living and working on the Sussex coast. Known for pushing the boundaries of traditional printmaking, she blends techniques such as monoprint, photo etching, screenprint, and Cyanotype with unconventional materials like gold leaf, bronze powders, charcoal, flowers, seeds, and even tea. Her richly layered, hand-finished works shimmer with theatrical elegance, often featuring ethereal figures that appear to emerge or dissolve within the artwork. Inspired by theatre, baroque drama, Pre-Raphaelite romanticism, and magical realist literature, Emerson constructs one-off pieces using photography, painting, lighting, costume, set, and prop design. Her subjects range from iconic figures to friends, dancers, and actors, all photographed in her studio.

A key element in Emerson’s practice is the Cyanotype, an analogue photographic technique from the 19th century that produces distinct blue-toned prints – hence the origin of the word “blueprint.” This light-sensitive process involves painting a chemical mixture onto paper in the dark, then layering photographic negatives on acetate with real flowers and grasses. These compositions are exposed to UV light – either from the sun in summer or an exposure unit in winter. Emerson often tones the intense blue of the prints to sepia or dark grey using natural materials such as tea. She describes the technique as having “an element of magic,” allowing her to merge painting, collage, and photography into one evocative surface. Her Cyanotypes frequently incorporate circular or arched motifs and are often finished with hand-painting or gilding.

Emerson’s work is widely collected and has been exhibited internationally through galleries, museums, and art fairs. She set a world record with the largest Cyanotype photograph ever made, measuring 46.8 square meters. Emerson has been awarded the Bridgeman Studio Award, shortlisted for the Young Masters Art Prize, and commissioned by prestigious venues such as The Dorchester, The Waldorf Astoria, and Raffles Hotel. She has also collaborated with brands including Harvey Nichols, Sony, Redbull, and Annoushka jewellery, with features in publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Sunday Times Style Magazine.

Original Works by Rosie Emerson – Coming Soon