Emma Sanderson (Studio Emmz) is an Australian visual artist and designer based in Iceland. Her practice spans painting, drawing, illustration and murals, exploring stories of people, place and community through expressive colour and mark-making.
With over 20 years of experience in graphic design and illustration, Emma brings a strong foundation in composition, narrative and visual communication to her work. Her current focus is developing original paintings and drawings, while continuing selected illustration, mural and design collaborations.
Emma’s creative journey has been shaped by her early career in advertising and marketing in Australia and Scotland, as well as her work with an Australian Indigenous health organisation and managing an Aboriginal art centre in remote Western Australia. These experiences continue to inform her interest in community, identity and socially engaged storytelling.
Emma has also co-founded an artist-run space, curated exhibitions, organised creative events and facilitated workshops. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts from the University of Sydney’s Sydney College of the Arts, a leading Australian institution for contemporary art education, and a Diploma in Graphic Design from SBIT.
Based in North Iceland, Emma works from Studio Emmz creating original artworks and selected creative collaborations.
Proud member of Félag íslenskra teiknara
education:
Bachelor of Visual Art, Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney 2008-2011
Diploma of Graphic Design, Southbank Institute of Tafe, Queensland 2000-2002
SELECTED CLIENTS:
ATSICHS Brisbane, Segull 67 Brewery Brugghús, Fjallabyggð Shire Council, Sigló Sea, Fótaaðgerðastofa Dagnýjar, Soffia’s House, Listastofan Art Space, Papulankutja Artists
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2024 – Jörmungandr mural launch, Siglufjörður Pool
2022 – Sigurður Jóhann Sveinsson Fanndal mural launch, Svarta Krían, Siglufjörður
2017 – Do not cross the yellow line — public art installation for Menningarnótt, Listastofan, Reykjavík
2016 – She looks like you, but it’s not you — short film, Transitions 2.0 group exhibition, Listastofan, Reykjavík
2015 – Mount Everness installation, group exhibition, Listastofan, Reykjavík
2014 – Liquid light performances as Lighthouse RVK for Rauðasandur Festival (feat. Emilíana Torrini plus others), Vebeth gig #1 at Cafe Ray Liotta (Two Step Horror, Pink Street Boys, russian.girls) and Benni Hemm Hemm at Kex Hostel, Reykjavík
2014 – Mouth Music short film, Perth Revelations Film Festival, Australia
2012 – KARAOKE101 — video art/performance, B-Waves, Bakkus, Reykjavík
2012 – Curator/Producer for Space Trash, TINA Festival, Newcastle
2012 – International Artist in Residence and group exhibition, SÍM (The Association of Icelandic Visual Artists), Reykjavík
2012 – Fire and Ice short film — Official Selection, Sydney Underground Film Festival
2011 – Fire and Ice short film broadcast, Sydney Shorts, Australian TV program
2011 – I Walk the World Away short film— Exploring the Moving Image exhibition, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney
2011 – Intervention Remix short film, International Humanitarian Week, University of Sydney
2011 – Wichita music video launch, Fun Machine, Good God Small Club, Sydney
2011 – Fierce Friends short film, Oxford Arts Festival, Sydney
2010 – I Walk the World Away & Undercurrents short films — Punk Monk Propaganda curation, Peats Ridge Music Festival, Sydney
2010 – Arthurville short film, Graduation Exhibition, Sydney College of the Arts
2010 – Fierce Friends film installation, Mart Gallery, Sydney
2009 – Fierce Friends film installation, Dappled Cities album launch, Sydney
2002 – Two High Festival exhibition, Hands on Art Gallery, Brisbane
2002 – AustralianINFront Visual Response exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney
2001 – Thread Festival exhibition, Brisbane Powerhouse