Emma Hercus offers glimpses into a whimsical world shaped by her rural upbringing and coastal surroundings. Her playful yet complex narratives are filled with relatable figures, native plants and animals, with a sense of care for Aotearoa’s whenua and its creatures.
Known for her distinctive figurative and naïve paintings, the Plimmerton-based artist builds up colour and texture through layers of pigment, often scratching back the surface to reveal a sense of history beneath. Emma’s love of people—their stories, energy and shared moments—deeply informs her practice, as the characters she paints often echo aspects of herself. Vague memories, folklore, and everyday scenes emerge and intertwine in her richly embellished works.
EXHIBITIONS
Kindred, Solo Show, 7 – 23 June 2024
Intertwined Narratives, Group Show, 23 November – 13 December 2024
AWARDS
Pataka Art Awards, winner of the Open Award 2024
Finalist in Craigs Aspiring Art prize 2024
NZ National Contemporary Art Award 2022 – Supreme winner
Finalist in Molly Morpeth Canady Awards 2023
Finalist in NZ Painting and Printmaking Awards 2021
Finalist in Craigs Aspiring Art prize 2021
Pataka Art Awards August 2019 - winner of The Creativity and Promise Award
INTERVIEW
PRESS
The New Zealand Herald | National Contemporary Art Award
Friends of Pātaka | 2024 Open Award winner Emma Hercus
Creative Matters Podcast | Emma Hercus - Figurative painter
The New Zealand Herald | How to become an artist
ARTWORKS
INSTALLATION VIEWS
