Artist Statement/ Biography

Emma Critchley’s practice is rooted underwater. Through working with a combination of photography, film and installation she explores the human relationship with the underwater environment. When submerged beneath the water’s surface there is a complete detachment from the every day and the focus falls on the present moment. There is a shift in the way we relate to our bodies, which demands that we realign ourselves with sight, sound, breath and movement. It is a change, which necessitates both a physical and mental realignment thus altering our basic structure of being. Critchley’s work investigates the reciprocal relationship between the body and the animate environment that surrounds it, focusing onthe continual exchange that takes place between these two spaces: a relationship that becomes heightened when immersed within the thick liquidity of water.

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Emma Critchley has worked as an underwater image-maker for over ten years and is represented by Grimaldi Gavin gallery. In 2011 she graduated with an MA from The Royal College of Art. Through working with a combination of photography, film and installation she explores the human relationship with the underwater environment. Emma has developed works funded by The National Media Museum, The Photographers Gallery, The Arts Council England, The British Council, the Singapore International Foundation and INTERREG IVC (financed by the European Regional Development Fund). Awards include the Royal College of Art Sustain Moving Minds award, winner of The British Underwater Image Festival and finalist in both the Saatchi Gallery & Channel 4’s New Sensations and the Saatchi Gallery & Google’s Motion Photography Prize. Her work has been exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally, including exhibitions at The Australian Centre of Photography, the ICA Singapore, Gerhard Marcks Haus Germany, The National Portrait Gallery, The Photographers Gallery, the Saatchi Gallery and the Royal Academy. Recent group exhibitions include Embrace, a group exhibition including works by Rodin, Jacob Epstein, Marc Chagall, Richard Deacon, Chris Ofili and Gilbert & George. Emma’s works can be found in numerous private collections as well as institutions such as The Royal College of Art and the National Media Museum. Emma has also worked as underwater DoP and camera operator on number of feature documentaries and music videos. She has also performed as a freediver herself.