Artist Statement
Emily Copeland is a Canadian realism artist working primarily in charcoal. She creates large-scale drawings of vintage and everyday objects, using meticulous detail, light, and texture to transform familiar subjects into something worth looking at again.
Beginning with her own photography, Copeland carefully composes each image before recreating it by hand in charcoal. Rooted in the tradition of mimesis, her work seeks not only to faithfully replicate what she sees, but also to reveal the stories that objects quietly carry. Whether it’s a weathered truck, a vintage microphone, or a well-worn piece of sports equipment, each subject is chosen for its ability to evoke memory, nostalgia, and personal connection.
By enlarging these objects beyond life-size and placing them against clean, minimal backgrounds, Copeland encourages viewers to slow down and notice details they might otherwise overlook. The scratches, reflections, and signs of wear become evidence of lives lived and moments remembered.
Inspired by Baroque masters such as Caravaggio, La Tour, and Velázquez, Copeland is drawn to the interplay of realism and chiaroscuro. Rather than assigning a fixed meaning to her work, she leaves space for viewers to bring their own experiences and memories to each piece, believing that the most meaningful art is discovered through personal connection.
Curriculum Vitae
Solo Exhibitions
2024 | Nuanced, Emily Copeland and the Art of Making a Mark, RJD Gallery, MI
2023 | Timeless, RJD Gallery, MI
2021 | Shades Of Grey, RJD Gallery, MI
2019 | Lineage, Bernarducci Gallery, NYC
2017 | Retro-Spective, Bernarducci Meisel Gallery, NYC
2016 | The Stacks, The ArtLab Gallery, London
Group Exhibitions
2026 | Open International Juried Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists
2025 | Elected Members Exhibition, SCA, Dignam Gallery, Toronto
2025 | 57th Juried Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists
2025 | 100 Kellogg Lane Art Comp, Juried Exhibition, ON
2024 | Realism Exhibition, Camelback Gallery
2023 | 100 Kellogg Lane Art Comp, Juried Exhibition, ON
2022 | BIG ART, small canvas, RJD Gallery, MI
2022 | 100 Kellogg Lane Art Comp, Juried Exhibition, ON
2022 | The Power of Women’s Art, RJD Gallery, MI
2021 | BridgingTheGap Impact NFT Gallery- Sagamore Hotel- Art Miami
2021 | Contemporary Realism Show, M. A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa Oklahoma
2021 | Art Girls Summer, RJD Gallery, MI
2021 | The Simple Pleasures Of Summer, RJD Gallery, MI
2021 | Big Art, Small Packages, RJD Gallery, MI
2021 | Shine On! Feel Good Art For The New Year, RJD Gallery, MI
2020 | Contemporary Realism Show, M. A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa Oklahoma
2018 | Second Annual National Juried Exhibition, WMOCA Museum of Contemporary Art, Wisconsin
2018 | Objects Of Desire, Bernarducci Gallery Chelsea, New York City
2018 | New Precisionism- Grand Opening, Bernarducci Gallery Chelsea, New York City
2017 | National Contemporary Realism Show, M. A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa Oklahoma
2017 | Past Forward, Anniversary Alumni Exhibition, Artlab Gallery, London
2017 | Size Doesn’t Matter, Bernarducci Meisel Gallery, New York City
2016 | Blank Canvas, Museum London, London
2016 | WORK/S, UA International Art Exhibition, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, Singapore
2015 | Fused Division, The Arts Project, London
2015 | Wine and Cheese, University College, London
2015 | Annual Juried Exhibition, Artlab Gallery, London
2014 | Yes/ No, Artlab Gallery, London
2014 | In the Beginning, Concourse Gallery, London
2014 | Turnover, Concourse Gallery, Artlab, London
2014 | Open Studios, John Labatt Visual Arts Center, London
2013 | Student Prints Exhibition, Spencer Gallery, D.B Weldon Library, London
2012 | Ink, Paper, Pressure, Bliss., Spencer Gallery, D.B. Weldon Library, London
2010 | Beal Art Show, H. B. Beal, London
2009 | Beal Art Show, H. B. Beal, London
Publications
2025 | NewsWeek Published Interview
2025 | Published interview in The International Art Magazine
2024 | Published interview in The American Art Collector Magazine
2024 | Published in The Western Art Collective
2023 | Published article in the Visionary Art Collective Magazine
2023 | Published interview in The American Art Collector Magazine
2023 | Published in the Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
2022 | Featured Artwork by the H&M Foundation and Heart17
2022 | Published interview in The American Art Collector Magazine
2021 | Published in Elevated Art Magazine
2021 | Published interview in The American Art Collector Magazine
2020 | Published on Design Stack
2019 | Published interview in The American Art Collector Magazine
2019 | Published in the Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
2018 | Published interview for Western University’s Gazette Newspaper
2018 | Published interview for Western University’s Art Departments 50th Anniversary
2017 | Published in The Book of YOUth
2016 | Published in Western News
2015 | Published in Western Libraries- Libretto- Undergraduate Awards
2015 | Presentation at UA conference, Dublin, Ireland
2015 | Published in The Gazette University Newspaper
2015 | Published on CreativPaper UK Blog
Awards and Accomplishments
2025 | Finalist Award – Best Works of 2025 – Camelback Gallery
2025 | Elected Member of the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA)
2025 | Gold Award – Black and White 13 Juried Art Awards – Camelback Gallery
2025 | Museum Acquisition – Artwork acquired by the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Indiana – Permanent Collection
2025 | Drawing Award – Grey Art Exhibition – Artist Space Gallery
2024 | Silver Award & Finalist Award – Realism 2024 Juried Art Awards – Camelback Gallery
2022 | Work Projected on the United Nations Building and in Time Square, NYC – BridgingTheGap
2022 | Judge- The Undergraduate Awards – Visual Arts Category
2022 | Chosen Artist for the UN Development Program UNDP
2022 | Selected Artist- BridgingTheGap Impact- Displayed in Heart17, The H&M Foundation and EY
2021 | Judge- The Undergraduate Awards – Visual Arts Category
2020 | Judge- The Undergraduate Awards – Visual Arts Category
2019 | Canada Council for the Arts- Arts Abroad Grant
2018 | Award of Excellence- WMOCA Award- Second Annual National Juried Exhibition
2017 | Finalist- Artists Magazine’s Annual Competition
2016 | Grant- Elizabeth Greenshield Foundation
2015 | Highly Commended Winner in the Undergraduate Awards
2015 | Merit Award at the AJE
Education
2011-2015 | Western University, Honors Specialization in Studio Art (BFA)
2006-2011 | H. B. Beal, Ontario Secondary School (Specialized Art Program)