Emily Rose Brennan has a PhD in Fine Art, and works predominantly with oil paint, both in the studio and en plein air. Brennan paints interiors, landscapes and still lifes, with a focus on the atmosphere and affective resonances inherent in the subject matter.
Historically, Brennan has had a particular interest in painting that which she identifies as the liminal atmosphere of theatrical backstage interiors, in part due to her background as a professional actor, and developed through her PhD research, Brennan’s painting practice utilises methodologies of rehearsal and performance practice, which inform the processes and outcomes of her work.
More recently, her deep familial connection to Rosa Brook, and an interest in attuning to the atmosphere of the place, has influenced the direction of Brennan's practice, especially since relocating to the area. Sensing the atmosphere of the land through her own subjectivity, and making this manifest through painting is at the heart of Brennan's practice.