Saint Cloche is thrilled to reveal ‘Cry Baby’ by Emma Labattaglia, a contemporary Australian artist working in a wide range of mediums in her paintings. Her work is engaged in the divergent space between the exquisite beauty of the natural world and the artifice uniquely found in the human world.

She explores the disconnection and the darkness beneath the pretence and shines a light on the loveliness of showing uncomfortable emotions and being genuine.

Just as the rain has a part to play in nature’s healthy cycles and rhythms, so too do our tears have an important role to play for the health of our inner landscape, which has a direct impact on the community around us and the greater world.

Cry Baby

“I see this body of work as an expression of my thoughts and feelings on the natural beauty that surrounds us versus the synthetic world that we live in. The subject matter is childlike, something I’ve always been drawn to when creating my art. They have a playful feminine feel in colours chosen and how the subjects have been executed.

I have used a large array of materials, from oil paint, oil stick, to spray paint, charcoal, and pastels. There are many layers applied and at times I have sanded back to reflect the rawness of reality in juxtaposition with something bright and overly joyful.

Behind all this perfection we see, in nature and the world we have created I wanted to explore what lies beneath. The big perfect smiles, perfect lives, the natural beauty in a flower and the clouds. There is a definite darkness behind these, initially, what appears to be, joyful works. I have played with the crossover of tears and rain. I’ve always found beauty in the rain and showing real emotions instead of hiding them.”

Emma Labattaglia is a Contemporary Artist with a background in Fine Arts Painting. She finished her studies in Melbourne-Australia, and Italy in 2003. Emma grew up from a young age watching her Opa draw and paint in his backyard studio. With a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, he shared with her his creative world. She knew it was the one thing she wanted to do. Emma went on to create an illustration business, working in fashion and poster art.

Emma now resides in a coastal town about an hour from Melbourne, working out of her home studio surrounded by rugged ocean and bushland. She is intrigued by the organic beauty versus the manufactured beauty people have created. Emma explores the conflict she has with this reflection.

By using a wide array of materials as well as presenting natural forms in a synthetic way, and vice versa, Emma presents her abstract view of the natural and man-made world.

Emma's achievements include being featured in highly regarded contemporary art platforms across the globe such as Abstract Mag, collaborating with top children’s clothing brands worldwide. Additionally, Labattaglia’s talent extends to producing wallpaper, which has garnered global success.