Emma Stibbon

Emma Stibbon was born in 1962 in Münster, Germany. She studied for her Fine Art BA at Goldsmiths, University of London; and an MA in Research Fine Art the University of the West of England, Bristol.

Stibbon is fascinated by the impact of human activity on some of the world most isolated regions. Often working on location, she draws environments that are undergoing dynamic change. Working from sketches and photographic records made on location, Stibbon’s studio-based works are a direct expression of her experiences in the field.

Stibbon’s research has led her to undertake residencies including Artist Placement in Antarctica, organised by the Scott Polar Research Institute; the Arctic Circle.org expedition to Svalbard in the High Arctic; Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, Connecticut; Artist in Residence at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park; and to document receding glaciers in Ecuador with Project Pressure.

Stibbon’s work has been internationally exhibited, with recent exhibitions of her work at York Art Gallery, York and Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal (2019); Cristea Roberts Gallery, London (2019, 2017); Verey Gallery, Eton College, Berkshire (2017) touring to Rochester Art Gallery; Galerie Bastian, Berlin (2017, 2015); Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge (2015); Rabley Contemporary Drawing Centre, Wiltshire (2013, 2011); Potsdam Kunstverein, Berlin (2012); and Listhus Artspace, Iceland (2012). 

Her work is held in numerous private and public collections including the Stadtmuseum, Berlin; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery; Pallant House Gallery, Chichester; the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon-Tyne; the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; New Art Gallery, Walsall; New Hall Art Collection, Murray Edwards College, Cambridge; Royal Academy or Arts, London; and Potsdam Museum. She was elected Royal Academician in 2013 and in 2020 became a Patron of The Big Draw. In 2018 she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Bristol.

Emma Stibbon lives and works in Bristol, England.