BIO
Emma Hapner is a figurative oil painter based in New York City. She earned her Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting from the New York Academy of Art, after completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Ball State University in her home state of Indiana. Hapner primarily works in oil paint on canvas, creating figurative pieces that reclaim the language of classical painting through a contemporary feminine perspective.
STATEMENT
To me, the color pink is a symbol of unapologetic femininity. I paint my figures in pink worlds and look to motifs from classical antiquity to celebrate traditional painting from my perspective: A woman seeking to understand the intricacies of womanhood.
My paintings focus on the duality of womanhood that I have experienced, exploring the desire to embody the power and sexuality that exist alongside my interest in beauty, softness, and “girly” traits, acknowledging that one does not detract from the other.
In many works, I also use clothing, costumes, and stage poses that draw on elements of fantasy and storytelling, almost as if I am playing a game of dress-up. The clothing we wear can completely change our outlook and attitude; a pair of heels can give the mindset of wearing a suit of armor. Each different outfit allows me to slip into a different identity.
Embracing my love of pink is important to me, as a woman and an artist. By immersing multiple figures in a hot pink space, I hope to depict the intimate, tumultuous, and ever-changing relationship with oneself. Conventionally, soft pink has been a color for little girls, but in my work I use more intense shades of quinacridone red, magenta, and fluorescent pink to embrace both sensuality and power.
CV
Selected Exhibitions
Arch Enemy Arts – Aqua Miami Art Fair, Group Show – December 2025
1969 Gallery – “Atelier II” Solo Show – October 2025
Arch Enemy Arts – “CELESTIAL II” Group Show – October 2025
Arch Enemy Arts – “SPECTRUM VI” Group Show – September 2025
Gagne Contemporary – “The Invisible String” Group Show – September 2025
Croyds Gallery – “The Four Horsemen” Group Show – August 2025
Era Contemporary – “Gardens of Enchantment” Group Show – July 2025
Loft Projects – Future Fair Group Show – May 2025
19 Karen Contemporary – “Two of a Kind” Group Show – May 2025
Village One Gallery – “In The Mood For Love” Group Show – March 2025
Warnes Contemporary – “All’s Fair” Solo Show – February 2025
Eclectica Contemporary – “Going Guerrilla” Group Show – October 2024
Village One Gallery – Volta Art Fair – September 2024
Artsin Square - “Endless Dreams” Group Show –August 2024
Living Gallery – “Volume” Group Show – April 2024
Anderson Contemporary – “Generations” Group Show – March 2024
Landmark Artspace – “Feminine Visions” Group Show – March 2024
Black Brick Project – “Heart of the Garden” Group Show – February 2024
Visionary Projects – “The Collective” Group Show – December 2023
Village One Gallery –”Cowgirls and Mermaids” solo show – November 2023
Spring Break – “Wild Card” Art Fair – September 2023
Artsy – “Foundations” Art Fair – August 2023
Soiree Henzo – Soiree Henzo 100 – July 2023
Tchotchke Gallery –”High Maintenance” Group Show – May 2023
Village One Gallery –”Girls will be Girls” solo show – April 2023
Better Go South– “Spectrum” Group Show–Nov. 2022
The Untitled Space–"The Rebel Exhibit" Group Show–Sep. 2022
Natasha Arlesan Gallery–"Tomorrow's Women" Group Show–August 2022
Tchotchke Gallery–”If It’s Not Baroque, Don’t Fix It” Group Show–August 2022
O'Flaherty's –"The Patriot" Group Show–July 2022
Village One Gallery – "Revealing the Beauty Within" Group Show– May 2022
Group Show– February 2022 Lorin Gallery– “Femininity” Group Show– May 2022
Dacia Gallery, New York – Carpe Diem Group Show– February 2022
Student Curatorial Committee, Student Show, NYAA – Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2022
Harrison Center First Friday Exhibition, Speck Gallery – January 2019
Senior Thesis Exhibition, Ball State School of Art – December 2019
121st Annual Exhibition, Anderson Museum of Art – November 2019
Annual Printer Jam, Muncie Makes – November 2019
Artworks Gallery, Kokomo, IN – August 2019–December 2019
Blackford County Center for the Arts Summer Exhibition – 2019
Bracken Library Summer Exhibition - 2019
Ball State University Annual Student Show – 2019
Nickel Plate Arts Gallery Fit to Print Exhibition - 2018
Honeywell Center Clark Gallery Themed Competition – 2018
Selected Publications
Divide Magazine – Issue 15 – September 2025
New Visionary Magazine – Issue 14 – May 2025
Croyds – Issue 1 – October 2024
Art Maze – Edition 34-37 – April 2024
Friend of the Artist – Issue 18 – April 2024
Booooooom – Array Zine – March 2024
Women United – Issue 6 – March 2024
New Visionary Magazine – Issue 8 – November 2023
Artwalk Magazine – Issue 3 – March 2023
Untitled Magazine – The Rebel Issue – November 2022
Create Magazine – Issue 30 – May 2022