May 2016 – Emma Magenta

May 28, 2016May 28, 2016Emma Magenta4 Comments

Writings and Drawings for Remembering Agatha

Emma Magenta was born in Sydney in 1972 and began her career drawing and writing her thoughts down on brown paper bags while working at Berkelouw Books, an Antiquarian Bookstore in Paddington, Sydney. After pinning them to the front window, they accrued a cult status and an International publishing deal was offered to her. Her first book, The Peril of Magnificent Love was awarded by The Australian Book Association and nominated for the prestigious Reuben Award by The National Cartoonist Society in The U.S.A. Emma’s adult picture books The Peril of Magnificent Love; A Gorgeous Sense of Hope; and The Origin of Lament are published in Australia available in the UK, New Zealand and Canada and have been translated into Russian and Korean.

These books explore aspects of the feminine psyche, one’s emotional world and the secret life of relationships. They have resonated with thousands of women around the globe as an antidote to depression.

She has also written and illustrated a children's book titled Orlando on a Thursday and has also illustrated Australian actress, Toni Collette's children's book titled Planet Yawn.

In 2011, Emma created an animation series produced by Hopscotch Films and The ABC titled The Gradual Demise of Phillipa Finch. Written and directed by Emma Magenta and narrated by Toni Collette, the series debuted to rave reviews and is the first multi-platform project (inter-active website, iPhone game, illustrated graphic novel and animation). The series was nominated for SXSW Award in the U.S and has been involved in a series of Film Festivals around the globe.

Emma Magenta is also a much-loved and prolific exhibiting artist whose work is in numerous collections around the world. In 2011, she exhibited her drawings with fellow Australian artist/author and Oscar winner, Shaun Tan in Santa Monica, L.A.

She is also a part of the Third Drawer Down venture (www.thirddrawerdown.com) where her limited edition tea towels and collectibles have now sold out.

Emma Magenta is also a performance artist/athlete and has studied the art form of Capoeira since 1998. In 2004, she featured as the Capoeira performer in the video piece Woolloomooloo Nights by ground-breaking video artist Shaun Gladwell as well as in his piece 2011 video piece Stereo Sequences.