Statement

My artistic practice blends careful analysis and a meditative approach, guided by a deep reverence for nature. I create unique patterns as a blueprint to cut, sew, and stuff fabric into three-dimensional forms, that I sometimes embellish further with embroidery.  Often, I repeat this process dozens, sometimes hundreds of times, to construct large soft-sculptures and amass modular installations.  

Inspired by the beauty of the natural world and the interconnectedness between nature and humanity, I create representations of plant life, and environments, and occasionally integrate human anatomy into my work. Drawing on photographic and live studies, I carefully consider the balance between achieving likeness and capturing essence against the unique constraints of soft-sculpture media. 

My practice pays tribute to pop, process, and craft art movements, evident through vibrant color, playful forms, recurring motifs, and the textile media. By employing fabric as my medium, a material intrinsically woven into our daily lives, I aspire to create art that resonates with diverse audiences, igniting wonder and curiosity.

Through my creations, I invite viewers to contemplate their relationship with the natural world and, in doing so, hope to foster a deeper appreciation and commitment to preserving our natural environments.

Bio

Emily Schnellbacher Bean grew up in Indianapolis, IN, where she earned her BFA in Painting from Herron School of Art and Design with minors in Art History and Psychology in 2011. Bean then moved to Philadelphia, PA, where she earned an MFA in Visual Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) in 2013. Having sewn wearable art and costumes for years as a hobby, she shifted her entire studio practice from painting to soft-sculpture and installation during her studies at PAFA and it continues to be her primary media. In 2017, she moved to Metro Detroit, where she lives and works today. Bean maintains a steady studio practice, actively exhibits, teaches workshops, and has a day job in advertising.

Contact Info: emilyschnellbacher@gmail.com