Emma Itzstein
Finding solace in art, Emma Itzstein is a painter based in the historic, regional town of Geelong.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson
Moonahs (Diptych) - Acrylic, pastel, charcoal, and ink on linen by Emma Itzstein. Photo - Courtesy of Emma Itzstein.
Like many of the artists we speak to at Hunter & Folk, Emma Itzstein didn’t start her career years as an artist. But her love of art was always apparent— at school, she was encouraged by her art teacher to apply for prizes in her hometown of Perth in Western Australia.
Emma continued her love of art into university, studying art history alongside communications and law. It was only after working at Channel 9, (post-uni) that Emma went into a full-time art studio practice, working on conceptual printmaking. These early works were inspired by philosophical theory from her readings at university. “I would go about photographing visuals which expressed these theories in symbolic and cryptic ways to turn them into risographs,” she shares. “It was about communicating an idea in a graphical and immediate way.”
However, it was a transient move to Geelong, after her husband Sam was drafted to the Geelong Cats AFL team, that changed everything. “What I didn’t realise at the time, was that the move would entirely challenge me to be deeply reflective about my career, my authentic self, and what I truly wanted out of the rest of my life,” she muses.
Emma Itzstein in her studio. Photo - Nikita Cherry Photography.
“My practice focuses on painting at the moment — it’s a much looser expression than my early print work and provides me the potential to express myself emotively,” shares Emma Itzstein. Photo - Courtesy of Emma Itzstein.
Lon 2 (Detail) - Acrylic, pastel and oil stick on linen by Emma Itzstein. Photo - Courtesy of Emma Itzstein.
“My work is about stepping away from the cluttered, noisy and fast-paced lives we lead and taking time out to be mindful, be amongst the environment and appreciate the simple and sacred beauty of nature.”
Emma turned to painting, allowing her to find a happier place within herself. Today, the artist focuses on the ephemeral feelings and emotions, in a way to channel nature and the philosophy of ‘slowing down’. “My approach to painting is about observing, experiencing and respecting the natural world,” Emma reflects. “It is the antidote to the often-shallow pursuits in life, which leave us unhappy, yet it’s also ironically the very thing we destroy in getting there.”
This connection reaches beyond just the physicality of the artwork but has also enabled Emma to achieve inner peace and comfort. Painting has been a medium that allows her to work on her mental health, becoming her therapy at times to help redefine her goals and values, and bringing a strong sense of purpose.
Within her abstract expressionist paintings, Emma depicts botanical motifs in acrylic and gesso — featuring predominately in her paintings, thanks to the ability to build up texture. And the quick drying time allowing her to add layers in ink, pastel, oil, charcoal to add detail, texture and pattern.
SUBTROPICAL II - Acrylic and paint on linen by Emma Itzstein, part of a current group exhibition at Fenton & Fenton. Photo - Courtesy of Emma Itzstein.
Lon 2 (Detail) - Acrylic, pastel and oil stick on linen by Emma Itzstein. Photo - Courtesy of Emma Itzstein.
It was this style that caught the attention of Lon Retreat in Point Lonsdale. Emma was commissioned by owners Claire and Rob to create a unique ‘Lon’ painting that follows their philosophy of reconnecting with nature and simplicity. The result, Banksia, now sits proudly in their Alto Suite.
A year later, on the 5th of March, the artist has been invited to present an exhibition in the tranquil setting, encompassing her love of nature and mixed-medium paintings. “Claire has welcomed me to wander the property whenever I feel, which has allowed me the space and time to get really immersed in the natural environment there and get lost exploring its sprawling beauty,” Emma adds.
“My collection of work for this show aims to evoke these feelings while capturing the essence of the unique coastal country landscape of Point Lonsdale,” she shares. “From the gnarly Moonah Tree Forrest which frames the sprawling property to the gorgeous banksias and succulents taking pride of place at the entrance of the luxury retreat.”
“In my little way, I hope being inspired by nature and putting it on a pedestal of sorts by painting it and creating value in that, reflects the importance we need to put on respecting nature at a global community scale.”
Detail of a work in progress for Emma Itzstein’s upcoming exhibition at Lon Retreat. Photo - Courtesy of Emma Itzstein.
Detail of a work in progress for Emma Itzstein’s upcoming exhibition at Lon Retreat. Photo - Courtesy of Emma Itzstein.
Photo - Nikita Cherry Photography.
“I truly believe that moving to Geelong was one of the best things to happen to me, as without it I may never have had the circuit breaker I needed to quit the rat race and forge my own path.”