Emily Jackson

Lives and works in Teddington, UK

Artist statement

Defined by its use of colour, form, and pattern, Emily Jackson’s practice is a powerful expression of resilience, centred on joy. Guided by the philosophy of Eudaimonia—the purposeful happiness that Aristotle regarded as the highest meaning of life—Jackson’s works remind us of the delight that can be found in the world. Drawing from personal memories and every day observations, such as the design on a shopping bag, the texture of fabric, or the colours in a box of crayons, her complex compositions embody the bold confidence and intricate depth found in the works of abstract artists like Shirley Jaffe and Bridget Riley. The studio’s namesake, Wolffia—the tiniest flowering plant on Earth—serves as a poignant symbol of Jackson’s methodology. Unremarkable in isolation, the plant becomes visually compelling as spreads across vast surfaces. This interplay between singular form and expansive pattern not only mirrors the compositions in Jackson’s works but also speaks to the sense of inclusivity that is a value running throughout her practice.

Artwork