Emma Bass: Finding Beauty in Bloom and Decay
Interview by Create! Magazine
www.emmabass.co.nz

Emma Bass is an established New Zealand artist renowned for her contemporary still-life floral compositions, which delve into themes of beauty, impermanence, and transformation. With a focus on photography and mixed media, she reinterprets the classical still-life tradition through a modern lens, infusing her floral arrangements with rich symbolism and emotional depth. Her work has been exhibited in prominent galleries both nationally and internationally, and it is held in private collections around the world. Many of her pieces are also acquired by hospitals and wellness spaces across New Zealand, reflecting her belief in art’s power to heal and uplift.

Drawing on her background as a nurse, Bass understands the profound connection between beauty and wellbeing. Her art seeks to inspire hope, offering comfort and emotional support to those who encounter it. Through carefully composed floral arrangements, she captures the delicate balance between life’s vitality and fragility. Elements of decay are often woven into her work, highlighting the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitable passage of time.

After a successful career in editorial and commercial photography, Bass transitioned to fine art, creating a highly sought-after body of work. She continuously pushes the boundaries of her practice, embracing new conceptual themes and collaborations with fashion designers, wine labels, and other creative industries. Passionate about expanding her artistic horizons, she is exploring ways to combine her photographic expertise with painting.

Scientific studies affirm that flowers have the ability to enhance wellbeing and reduce stress, a notion that resonates throughout Bass’s work. Her striking large-scale floral compositions bring a serene, contemplative presence to spaces of healing and reflection. By blending historical influences with a bold contemporary vision, Bass’s art invites viewers to reflect on nature’s beauty, the transience of life, and the emotional power of visual expression.

Your work explores the connection between beauty and wellbeing. How has your background in nursing influenced the way you approach your art?

My background in nursing, along with my childhood experiences, has profoundly shaped how I approach my art, especially in exploring the connection between beauty and wellbeing. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in hospitals as my father was a doctor. Every Christmas from the age of 10, he asked me to paint flowers on the walls of the coronary care unit where he worked. I’ll never forget the way the patients’ eyes would light up when they saw the color and floral images. It was such a simple gesture, but it made a real impact on them, and I could see it. Those early experiences stayed with me, reinforcing how much the environment can affect our emotional wellbeing. Now, as an artist, I channel that same sense of healing into my work, using beauty to offer comfort, uplift, and provide a moment of solace—just as I saw it do for those patients.

You often include both blooming flowers and signs of decay in your compositions. What draws you to this contrast, and what do you hope it evokes in the viewer?

I’m drawn to the contrast between blooming flowers and signs of decay because it reflects the full life cycle—something I think is important to acknowledge and embrace. Life is full of vitality, but it’s also inevitably fleeting, and I believe there’s beauty in both the beginning and the end. By incorporating decay, I’m trying to normalize our inevitable demise and invite people to reflect on the transient nature of life. There’s something powerful about the beauty within imperfection—the way the fading petals still hold their own kind of grace. It’s a reminder that even in the process of decay, there is still life, still beauty, and still meaning. I hope this contrast evokes a sense of acceptance, allowing the viewer to find comfort in the ephemeral, yet beautiful, nature of life’s cycle.

Still-life has such a rich history in art. How do you balance classical inspiration with your bold, contemporary style?

Still-life has always fascinated me, not just for its rich history, but for how it captures much more than just beauty. I combine classical inspiration with my own contemporary style, blending traditional elements—like symbolism and fine detail—with unexpected pairings and modern twists. Some of my work is directly influenced by the Dutch Masters’ flower paintings, whose vibrant colors and meticulous techniques inspire me. I also draw from traditions like ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, adding balance and simplicity to my compositions. For me, flowers are universal tokens of love, hope, and connection, but these are not just decorative flower photographs. There’s much to discover within each piece. I often incorporate hidden creatures and objects, such as the full life cycle of a butterfly—caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly—symbolizing transformation and renewal. I want viewers to engage with my work on a deeper level, finding layers of meaning and experiencing the beauty and fragility of life in new ways.

Your work lives in both galleries and healing spaces like hospitals. How does the setting affect how you think about or create a piece?

I believe art has the power to enhance and uplift any space, which is why I’m committed to placing my work in environments where it can truly make a positive impact. My work has wide appeal, with people acquiring it to celebrate significant moments, commemorate events or adversity, or simply to uplift their environment. Whether in a gallery or a healing space like a hospital, my art is created with the intention to add value, offer joy, and bring comfort. I also create bespoke pieces that can be any size—small or magnificently large—to suit the unique needs of any space. Knowing that my pieces can provide solace and reflection in these spaces is incredibly fulfilling and reinforces the important role art plays in elevating the emotional atmosphere of any place.

You’ve worked across photography, mixed media, and now even collaborations with fashion and wine. What excites you most about these intersections between art and other industries?

I’m always excited about new collaborations with other industries to offer fresh experiences of my art. Expanding into painting has been a natural evolution for me, and I love how combining it with my photography opens up new layers of texture and depth. It allows me to push the boundaries of the still life, always exploring new ways of seeing and experiencing it. I also enjoy working with causes like Breast Cancer Cure and conservation groups—it’s fulfilling to know that my work can contribute to something meaningful, whether it’s bringing beauty into someone’s life or supporting a larger purpose. I have some exciting new projects in the works, so watch this space!

What message or emotion do you hope people take with them after spending time with your floral compositions?

I hope that after spending time with my floral compositions, viewers are left with a sense of awe and a renewed connection to the richness of life. Scientific studies show that engaging with art and nature can boost wellbeing, with flowers in particular helping to elevate mood and reduce stress. Austrian neurologist/psychologist Viktor Frankl survived the Holocaust and observed that those who survived were able to tune into beauty amidst their adversity, suggesting that beauty is essential for survival. Irish poet/philosopher John O'Donohue, in his book Beauty: The Invisible Embrace, writes, "Beauty is not a luxury but a necessity for the soul." This aligns with my intention to create art that nurtures the spirit and offers solace. My work reflects both the bloom and decay of life, using flowers as metaphors for our journeys. I want people to find value in imperfection and comfort in life’s transience. By focusing on something beautiful, even for a moment, we shift our perspective from complexities, opening our eyes to the simplicity around us. I hope my work offers a pause for reflection and a space to connect with what often goes unnoticed in our everyday lives.