Bio
Emma Clear (b.1981) is an artist, researcher and culture worker living and working in the capital region in Finland. With a background in visual arts, she holds a MA in Visual Culture, Curating and Contemporary Art from Aalto University (2023), a BA in Fine Art from Falmouth University, UK (2009) and a Diploma of Art: Sculpture from LSAD, Ireland (2003). Her working practice focuses on support and advocacy in the arts sector. Working towards a more supportive arts field that encompasses multiple and diverse voices is immensely beneficial to the arts scene. Here Emma focuses on the opportunities to advocate for under-represented and often hidden groups such as primary caregivers and creative professionals from diverse backgrounds. This is the crux of her professional direction; which includes role as Operational Manager at Helsinki International Artists’ Association, in Globe Art Point’s Support and Advocacy Team, and Helping Hands Student Support Team.
In her creative practice, storytelling, crafting and care practices have remained central. Her work encompasses drawing and yarn crafting; writing, and mushroom growing, and foraging as a theme for exploring feminist practices of care and resilience building during times of collective and personal grief. Collaborative processes of reading and writing have become ingrained in her creative work in recent years and have allowed for the expansion of her creative work into her professional experience; informing one another and allowing these areas to bleed together in terms of the roles she undertakes and the creative processes she engages with. Emma’s work has been exhibited in Ireland, the UK and Finland.
cv
EDUCATION:
Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland: Masters of Arts / Visual Culture, Curating and Contemporary Art (2018– 2023)
University College Falmouth, UK: Bachelor of Arts / Fine Art (2007 – 2009)
Limerick School of Art and Design, Ireland: Diploma in Fine Art / Sculpture (2000 – 2003)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Helsinki International Artists’ Association ry.: Operational Manager June 2025 – Present
Globe Art Point, Helsinki: Support & Advocacy Assistant (Internship), March 2024 – May 2024
MAA-Tila, Helsinki: Gallery Assistant, March 2020 – June 2025
Helping Hand, Aalto University, Espoo: Student Advocate and Support Worker, March 2021 – December 2021
HIAP (Helsinki International Artists Programme), Suomenlinna: Exhibition Assistant June 2021- August 2021 / Artist Residency Intern, Aug 2019 – Feb 2020
Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK: Co-Director / Curator, Aug 2015 – Jan 2017)
Diversis Artibus Co-op Ltd., UK: Artist Cooperative, Co-founder / Co-Director, Jan 2014 – Jan 2017
Knowledge Gallery, Brighton, UK: Gallery Co-Manager, May 2013 – Nov 2013
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Kalasatama Artwalk, Helsinki: Art Tour Guide, February 2025 – June 2025
Nordic Culture Point, Helsinki: Panel Discussion Moderator, November 2024
Nordic Culture Point / Globe Art Point, Helsinki: Panel Discussion Moderator, August 2024
Mònica Naiset, Helsinki: Workshop Facilitator, January 2021 – December 2021
Various Locations: Workshop Facilitator/Teacher, March 2011 – December 2021
EXHIBITIONS/EVENTS:
“recipes for care and resilience in the climate emergency” – Book Launch; Asbestos Art Space, Helsinki, 25th January, 2023
“They Were Here” – Group Show; Anjala manor, Anjala; August, 2021
“EMMANUEMMI: Skin” – Group Show; Iitti; July 2020-August 2020
“Can You See Work” – Group Show; Väre Building, Aalto University, Espoo; January 2019
“Dimensions” – Aalto/ViCCA Group Show; Venice Building, Lapinlahdenpolku; December 2018
“Trace” – Solo Show; Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK; August 2016
“Resonance the Being” Duo Show; Knowledge Gallery, Brighton, UK; October 2013
Bandon Arts Fair – Group show; Co Cork, Ireland; June 2012
“Edwardian Cloakroom“- Group show; Bristol City Centre, UK; July 2011
CURATORIAL PRACTICE:
Moe Louanjli: “Spectrum of Visibility: People of Colour” — Globe Art Point, Helsinki Apr/May 2024
Veera Vartiainen: “Screenshot of Vector Meditation” — Globe Art Point, Helsinki Apr/May 2024
Reena Jha: “Tipping Point 2” — Globe Art Point, Helsinki Mar/Arp 2024
Group Exhibition: “Constructed Agents” — Beta SPACE-gallery, Aalto University April 2019
Eve Shepherd: “Blood and Bone”— Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK Nov 2016
Ian Miller: “The Artwork of Ian Miller”— Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK Oct 2016
Group Exhibition: “Masks”— Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK Sept 2016
Holly Rozier: “Unheimlich”— Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK June 2016
Aaron Howdle: “A Cloudtop Archipelago” — Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK May 2016
Alex Binnie: “Flayed!”— Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK Mar 2016
Justyna Neryng: “Shadows and Echoes”— Corridor Gallery, Brighton, UK Oct 2015
Steven Ford — Knowledge Gallery, Brighton, UK Aug 2013
Danny Coulsdon — Knowledge Gallery, Brighton, UK Sept 2013
Emma Clear 