Emily Pope’s practice is an intimate meditation on time, memory, and the slow, deliberate process of creation. Her work transcends the finished image, focusing instead on the act of painting itself: slowly, methodically, and repetitively. Using a soothing colour palette, Pope’s paintings often explore fleeting feelings or ideas, capturing an earnest attempt to preserve the ephemeral. Through her work, Pope wishes to convey earnestness and a sense of compassion for existing. For instance, in ‘Thredbare’, the artist presents a flower as a symbol of a memento mori, transformed into a glassy, more artificial version to heighten its fragility and futility. With this imagery, Pope reminds us of the value that lies in this effort of exaggerated preservation, even if impossible.

Pope’s relationship with Surrealism is both foundational and ever-evolving. Reflecting on her first encounter with artists such as Magritte and Dalí, Pope states: “It felt like discovering the power of visual storytelling: a tool for transcribing a dream in a coherent way.” Over time, her connection to Surrealism has deepened, particularly through her appreciation for its symbolic language. She credits discovering Gertrude Abercrombie as a pivotal moment in her practice “I found it profoundly validating to see themes, elements and objects in her work that I had already been exploring, as though we were drawing from the same subconscious toolkit.”

Surrealism informs not only the content of Pope’s work but also its process. The artist’s paintings begin as daydreams or recurring ruminations, gradually forming mental collages that evolve into visual compositions. For Pope, the act of turning abstract, ephemeral thoughts into tangible images feels like a process of both magic and translation. This intuitive approach mirrors Surrealism’s enduring fascination with the subconscious and transformation.

Pope’s work also profoundly engages with themes of femininity, in a similar way to Carrington herself. “I believe there’s an inherent magic to femininity that connects us, often in ways we’re not fully aware of.” This subtle yet profound connection infuses her work with a sense of shared intimacy.

The exhibited works represent two key ideas within Pope’s practice. ‘Threadbare’ focuses on the symbolic language she has developed, with the hope of contributing to something that resonates with others. ‘Shades of Hindsight’ explores the concept of a portal, serving as a reflection on the past year of her practice while considering where it might lead next.

Through her meticulous, introspective approach, Emily Pope creates works that blend personal symbolism with universal resonance, offering a space to pause, reflect and connect with the transient beauty of existence.

Emily Pope (b.1993, Canada) is a painter living and working in Toronto. Pope earned her Bachelor of Design from OCAD University in 2015. In 2023, Pope’s work was featured in group exhibitions at Pictorium Gallery in London and Dahlia SL Gallery in Mexico City. That same year, she held a solo exhibition at Sens Gallery in Hong Kong. Most recently she exhibited at Abbozzo Gallery in Toronto. Pope's practice explores the pairing of her body with symbolic elements and settings, amplifying her experiences of womanhood.