About
Emma Hughes is a painter, quilter, and mixed media artist based in Long Beach, California. Through pattern, saturation, and material integration, I reflect the absurdity of contemporary reality. My cultural identity as part of the Hawaiian diaspora deeply impacts the symbology and context of my work. I am examining how artificial and industrially produced imagery has framed both Americana and the contemporary indigenous experience.
Quilting was introduced to Hawaiians and other indigenous groups through forced colonial assimilation. It remains a prominent artform that has been adapted to the visual sensibilities of each group. My practice involves layering tropical and Western motifs, visually reconciling my layered sense of self. I approach my process holistically by combining multimedia exploration and ancestral research. Our culture perseveres through every practitioner moving the conversation forward.
