Where the Wild Spark Lives by Lottie Emma

Embracing disability, neurodivergence and difference is to open the mind to different lenses and ways of experiencing the world.

Seeking to make space for joy, curiosity, rage, care, play and the possibility of becoming something new, Lottie Emma’s textile practice explores womanhood, care, resilience and self-expression. Through embroidery, repurposed fabrics and soft sculpture, the artist transformed discarded materials into expressions of resistance and renewal. Her experimental processes reflect the complexities of ageing, motherhood and caring for a neurodivergent child, bringing visibility to the often-invisible labour of care. Rooted in women’s textile traditions, her practice embraces both spontaneous gestures and meticulous stitching, holding space for anger, tenderness and hope.

Lottie Emma is a South Australian contemporary textile artist based on Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri Country, Fleurieu Peninsula. Emma studied Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania and Fashion Design at TAFE SA. Since 2023, her practice has expanded through mentorships, residencies and national and international exhibitions.