Interview with November Youth Artist Emmerson Cornell

This Month’s Youth Artist is Emmerson Cornell, whose pieces are on display through November.

In an interview with us, Emmerson discusses the impact music has had on their work, favorite song lyrics, takeaways, and more!

Emmerson will be having an opening on Thursday, November 9th from 6-8pm.

In your artist bio, you state that "the inspiration for my art comes from my own life experiences and what I find interesting." What are some of your biggest interests and in what way have they shaped your work?

One of my biggest interests is music and collecting vinyl records. When I’m painting or drawing I throw my headphones on and get lost in the music. I find myself not only getting lost in the music but the art as well. A lot of my art represents musicians whom I love because I find the persona that they represent so interesting. And, I think that persona resembles certain parts of me. Similar to how studio art influences the culture, so does music — combining both is my way of representing different parts of me that have been influenced by music. 

Some of your paintings are vibrant and emotive portraits of musicians/performers. Do you have a favorite lyric from any of their songs, and if so, what?

This is such a hard question for me because I think that there are so many different artists who say the most beautiful words. While thinking about this question, three lyrics came to mind. The first one is from the song "Ivy” by Frank Ocean and he says, “You ain’t a kid no more; We’ll never be those kids again.” This is actually my senior quote because I’m at the point in my life where there is so much change happening and I’m being considered a, “young adult.” The second lyric is by SZA in her song "Normal Girl" and it goes, “This time next year, I’ll be living so good; Won’t remember your name, I swear; Living so good, living so good, living so good.” Finally my third and last favorite lyric is by Brent Faiyaz in his song, “Rolling stone” and it’s when he says, “I guess I’m everything and nothing at the same time.” 

One of your pieces depicts a highway with a rainbow in the background and sign in the foreground reading, "Entering Freetown." What is the story and/or inspiration behind this piece?

This piece is based on a picture I took back in the end of April this past year. I took this photo while on the way to the hospital. I have a rare autoimmune disease called behçets and from that I got mono three times and so my mother was driving me to the hospital because my tonsils were so large I couldn’t breathe. I was in the hospital for a week and got my tonsils out one week before my junior prom. I completely forgot this photo was taken partially because I was on so many painkillers from the hospital, but then I found that photo and it made me realize that this was my own chance of freedom. I feel like this piece represents something that others can reflect on as well and apply to their own lives. 

If there is one takeaway you would like people to know when viewing your work, what is it and why?

One takeaway I would want people to know when viewing my work is to not take it so seriously. I feel like people have the tendency to take art so seriously and try to find the meaning behind it, but I want people to find their own meaning from my work. Art is something that we look at and have our own perspective on — so take away your own meaning from it, don't just try to figure out why I made it. I can guarantee you don’t know how my brain works from a painting or drawing because most of my work has multiple meanings behind it, so try to figure out how your own brain works when viewing my work. 

How did you first learn about The Collaborative and what have you learned in the process of preparing for your opening?

I first learned about The Collaborative from someone in my school who also participated in the youth artist event. When I applied and got the email from Sandy in November 2022 she told me that my youth artist event would be in November 2023. At first I thought, “Oh one year that’s plenty of time” but now I realize that it flies by so quickly. I never realized how much effort goes into preparing for the opening. I appreciate this opportunity so much because it’s taught me so much about what goes into a real art opening and I’m forever grateful for it.