Emily Halpern

Sins and Sorrows is a new body of work featuring assemblages, sculpture and photography and explores the darkness of self-harm and depression. People who hurt themselves often believe they deserve punishment. While not exclusive to Christianity, the concept of suffering, and contrition, in order to atone for one?s sins is a fundamental precept. With a loose nod towards Christianity?s concept of sin, I decided to express my own take on the Deadly Sins. Some are performative and pertain to my personal experiences, while others relate explicitly to current events. While each sin is distinct, the grouping of sins is meant to be interpreted as one piece, expressing how the manufactured nature of sin is incorporated in the fabric of our lives. Some works are tongue in cheek, with a lighter look at sin, suicide and sex.

There are other pieces in this grouping of work that highlight personal reactions and acts of contrition for our sins. These are our sorrows. Self-abuse can take many forms, via drugs, bulimia or razor blades. Inspired by their innate connection, I pair sin and sorrow in order to express the latent tragedy that real and perceived sin imposes upon us individually and collectively.

Emily Elisa Halpern was born to a Swedish mother and an American father in Kentucky and moved to Canada when she was she was five. She studied Criminology and played professional basketball abroad before returning to the States where she received her BFA from Pratt Institute in New York City and her MFA from San Diego State University in California. She now lives and works as a full-time artist in Los Angeles at the Brewery Artist Colony. Her work has won her several scholarships and awards.