Emma Gregory
My practice explores the business of human emotion - social mores, roles and behaviours - through a female lens. Working in an embodied and playful way, I allow process and medium to shift in response to each idea, moving between drawing, writing, fabric, carpentry, print, and building.
Collaboration sits at the heart of this work and I create learning communities around shared questions in the practice, most notably through the alternative MA Press Play (2016–2022) and the residencies for artists Body as a Tool for Visual Arts Research (2023) and Drawbridge (2023).
Lived Experience
Alongside my studio practice, I have worked extensively across the cultural sector as a programmer and programme manager (Riverside Studios, RFH, Yorkshire Dance and The Bluecoat), workshop leader (The Hayward and Whitechapel), scenic artist (National Theatre and Souvenir Scenic Studios) and creative wellbeing workshop leader (Holburne Museum).
Solo shows
Caught Playing curated by Natasha MacVoy at Bricks St Annes, Bristol (September 2024)
Care & Control curated by Tracy Hill at Birley Artists’ Studio and Gallery in Preston (October 2022) (online https://www.emmagregory.co.uk/care-control)
HER MIT, curated by Natasha MacVoy, The Shed, Dursley (Aug 2019) (online www.hermitprojects.com/emma-gregory.html )
Semi-Permanent Collections curated by Matthew Clough (Oct 2015 – Oct 2016) Victoria Gallery and Museum, University of Liverpool (online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIRT6fZGziY)
Selected group shows
Woolwich Print Fair: Women in Print curated by Tracy Hill, Magda Swarska-Bevan and Lubaina Himid (Oct 2025)
Live art group show: Caryatids for Perpetually Stew curated by Buoys Buoys Buoys at KitForm Gallery (July 2025), created and performed with Grace Surman
Group show: Pick it up curated by Morven Mulgrew (Feb 2025) 17 Midland Road
Group show: THISS 2024, The Hide installation / sculpture showcase (May 2024) for SITE Festival 2024, with editorial inc image in Good on Paper Issue 109 (June 2024)
Group show: My body in my hands, curated by Sam Lucas and Nick Grellier at SVA, Stroud (2023) and included in publication
Group show: Contested Territories curated by The State of Print (2022) IMPACT 12 Bristol
Group show: The House Protects the Dreamer at Safehouse2, with Henny Burnett and Esmé Clutterbuck, London (2021)
Group show: Postcards for Perec, international tour 2021-2025 and publication
Group show: 25 years, Kölner Grafikwerkstatt, Cologne (2020)
Group show: PRESS PLAY 2020 at KOSAR Contemporary in association with Spike Print Studio, Bristol
Group show: Liverpool Bestiary (2018), 9th Annual International Conference on Visual and Performing Arts in Athens https://www.atiner.gr/arts, Greece
Group show: FaB – Doorways and Biography in Cloth, (May 2018) Bath
Group show: DRAWN (May – June 2017) Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
Group show: NOPE (July 2016), Bankside Gallery London
Group show: Druk Maken, (2015) Grafische Atelier Alkmaar, Netherlands
Group show: PENPAL (2011/1012) Graphikwerkstatt Kölner, CologneGroup show: Tiefsschfarz Deep Black (2010 – 2011) LJMU Liverpool, Cologne, Pančevo and Serbia
Group show: Trialogue at Cornerstone (2011), Hope University, LiverpoolGroup show: Triple Echo (2008 – 9) Wirral, Preston, Liverpool & Bristol (IMPACT6 Conference)Group show: Next Up: Liverpool Art Now (2008 – 9) The Bluecoat, Liverpool, with catalogue
Other key achievements and relevant work experience
Award: Visiting Fellow, University of West of England (current)
Master printer / fabric sculpture-maker / performer for other artists (2022-25)
Workshop leader: print-led, current clients including the Pathways to Wellbeing Programme at Holburne Museum Bath, Spike Print Studio Bristol
Residency: The body as a tool for visual arts research (2023) Produced with funding from a_n
Contributor: Harmonic Sequencing (artist’s profile – Virginia Bridge), Printmaking Today vol 34 Summer 2025, issue 134
Award: DYCP funding from Arts Council of England (2022)
Residency: hosted by ArtLab at UCLan with funding from Women in Print Project and Archive, established by Lubaina Himid, Magda Swarska-Bevan and Tracy Hill (2022).
Contributor: Ghosts in the Machine, pub Impact Press, Bristol (2022) ed. 100
Subject: solo show Care & Control reviewed by Liverpool based writer Julia Jones for Corridor8 (2022)
Award: a_n time-space-money award (2021)
Course designer / leader: Press Play - a year-long CPD course for artists based at Spike Print Studio, Spike Island, Bristol, which ran for six years (2016 – 2022)
Residency: The Garage, Clifton, (Oct 2020 and Feb 2021) with notes on www.atthegarage.co.uk
Contributor: Drawing as a Tool for Artists’ CPD, Drawing Projects UK blog (2019)
Contributor: Printmaking Today reviews and previews various, (2020-22)Residency: Graphikwerkstatt Kölner, Cologne, Germany (2017)Subject: documentary film by K1Cultmedia funded by GAA (2015) www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr6Uto_RjRQ
Award: a_n funding awarded towards networking in mainland Europe (2017)Residency: Grafische Atelier Alkmaar, Netherlands (2017 and 2015)
Speaker: First Edition Print Symposium (Cork 2017)
Residency: University of Liverpool, Permanent Collections, (2013 -15)
Award: Arts Council funding awarded for residency and exhibition (2013)
Contributor: DRAWING PAPER #3, (May 2011), pub Carney, Mike and Barraclough, Jon, Liverpool (also online at www.drawing-paper.tumblr.com)
Research: Better Bite a collaborative investigation into Acrylic based aquatints with Tracy Hill. Published online www.nontoxicintaglio.tumblr.com/ and in Printmaking Today (autumn edition 2011)
Contributor: Speed, Emily (2010) ed. Cardboard Folly #1 THE FOLD, published by Emily Speed, Liverpool, ISSN 2044-9771
Award: Arts Council of England funding for research into ‘non-toxic’ etching (2008)
Education and training
Falmouth Uni - PGC(H)E (2021)
UCLan - Masters in Fine Art with Distinction (2011)
City University London - Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Administration (1991 )
Central School of Art and Design - BA Hons. Degree in Fine Art, Printmaking (1988)
Sir John Cass School of Art - Foundation Course in Art and Design (1985)
Helping Artists Keep Going
Axis is an artist-led charity supporting contemporary visual artists with resources, connection, and visibility.