Emilie Monty, an emerging multidisciplinary artist of Australian-Mauritian descent, lives in Walyalup, Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. Their work is characterised by seeking to transform the subtle nuances of sensory experiences into creative settings through playful experimentation, collaborative research and participatory exchange.
Motivated by their own experience with chronic pain, Monty's work began rooted in a desire to explore embodied experiences. Their research, conducted through voice recorded interviews and questionnaires, delves into the biopsychosocial aspects of physical pain. This personal exploration culminated in the creation of immersive sound installations that invite audiences to navigate this intricate terrain. Since graduating, they have continued this creative trajectory by embedding the practice of exchange within their work. More recently, an invitation to participate in the Commonwealth of New Bayswater Post Office Residency Program (2023), in collaboration with artist Mayma Awaida, provided them with a platform to develop an ephemeral body of work, "The Longest Echo", Goolugatup Heathcote (2024). Which involved tattoos traded with secret voice notes and has further embedded the practice of exchange within their work.
Notable career highlights are a scholarship to intern with SemAta Gallery in Bandung, Indonesia (2018), and exchange to the Royal Academy of the Hague, Netherlands (2019). Since graduating, they have been a resident artist at Museum of the Great Southern Albany (Menang Country) with Art On The Move and Fremantle Arts Centre and participated in the SPRING: Artsource Mentor Program and Perth Festival's emerging artists Lab, reflecting their growing engagement within the arts community. Monty’s work as resident teaching artist with schools programs in Port Hedland (Kariyarra Country), Fitzroy Crossing (Bunuba Country) and Norseman (Ngadju Country) underscore their commitment to fostering artistic expression within communities.
(pictured)
The Longest Echo, Piece 1 | Collaboration with Mayma Awaida | 2023 | ceramic, beads, metal chains
Image by Emma Daisy Photography