Photo by Tyler Ammons.
Artist Statement ‘25
Psychology states that pattern + repetition allow people to feel at ease and develop a meditative feeling. My work involves organic abstractions that create patterns in a non-representational way. The act of pouring paint allows me to express my interest in repetition while invoking patterns that exist in nature.
I am intrigued by the formation of art. I visualize music and auras into intricate patterns, utilizing my synesthesia to transform sound into shapes and colors. I wish to connect a visual cue to a memory, place, or something buried deep within. Exposing the subconscious; revealing a nostalgic moment.
Paint is my medium and natural forces set my boundaries. As a performance process artist, I have learned to accept each piece for what it becomes. To let go of any outcome and discover something new in every piece created and/or destroyed.
About Emily Tan;
Emily Tan is an accomplished abstract painter and live performance artist with over eight years of professional experience. Graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of Tampa, she has also distinguished herself as an art curator, creative director, and social media expert.
Tan’s artistic expertise spans a diverse range of mediums, including acrylics, house paint, dye, found objects, and digital tools, often integrating music, dance, and yogic movement into her live performance work. Tan’s art, characterized by organic abstractions, employs patterns and repetition to evoke a sense of psychological ease and meditation in viewers.
Tan's passion for art stems from a personal journey of self-expression and identity formation, in response to feelings of otherness and inadequacy in her youth. Art has served as Tan’s refuge and a means to reclaim her story, and power. Tan has showcased her talents in over 75 live events across Florida, Georgia, and New York, and contributes to the art community by teaching at the Tampa Museum of Art, where she continues to inspire and shape emerging artists.
Emily also DJs…Immersed in music's influence, Emily’s work naturally vibrates with the frequencies of melody, harmony, and rhythm. Tan visualizes music in intricate patterns, her synesthesia transforming sound into shapes and colors. This profound connection led her to explore DJing in 2020, seeking a creative outlet during the shutdown. Tan’s unique perception fuels her innovative DJ sets and electrifying paint performances, where she seamlessly blends art and music, defying conventional boundaries.