Emma Karila
France
karilaemma@gmail.com
The artist develops a practice deeply rooted in observing nature, particularly trees, bark, leaves, and branches. These natural elements are reinterpreted in an abstract way, becoming symbols of personal reflection on life choices, the paths taken, and key moments that shape our existence. Through the symbolism of the Tree of Life, her work expresses a meditation on the connection between past, present, and future: the roots representing origin, the trunk symbolizing strength and journey, and the branches evoking fragility and openness to the unknown.
Her preferred material is paper, which she handcrafts from natural plant fibers such as cotton, mulberry, or abaca. Trained in the traditional Japanese papermaking technique, she has transformed this ancestral method to suit her contemporary artistic practice. This artisanal process, both slow and meticulous, allows her to shape the paper while it is still wet, letting it dry into the desired form.
Her creations explore the dialogue between material, nature, and spirituality. Paper is no longer a mere support — it becomes a work in itself, a texture, a landscape. Through a delicate exploration of shapes and surfaces, the artist invites viewers to contemplate intimate, poetic worlds. Each piece reflects the fragility and strength of our connection to the environment — balancing tension, rootedness, and inner reflection.
Oscillating between art, craft, and design, her work is presented as unique pieces or bespoke creations, intended for both private collectors and professionals. This hybrid and sensitive approach forms a true artistic cartography, where each work becomes a trace of life — an echo of the choices that shape who we are.
Her preferred material is paper, which she handcrafts from natural plant fibers such as cotton, mulberry, or abaca. Trained in the traditional Japanese papermaking technique, she has transformed this ancestral method to suit her contemporary artistic practice. This artisanal process, both slow and meticulous, allows her to shape the paper while it is still wet, letting it dry into the desired form.
Her creations explore the dialogue between material, nature, and spirituality. Paper is no longer a mere support — it becomes a work in itself, a texture, a landscape. Through a delicate exploration of shapes and surfaces, the artist invites viewers to contemplate intimate, poetic worlds. Each piece reflects the fragility and strength of our connection to the environment — balancing tension, rootedness, and inner reflection.
Oscillating between art, craft, and design, her work is presented as unique pieces or bespoke creations, intended for both private collectors and professionals. This hybrid and sensitive approach forms a true artistic cartography, where each work becomes a trace of life — an echo of the choices that shape who we are.
