By Freda Maddison, 2nd Year, English
Emma Talbot’s new exhibition: ‘Everything Is Energy’ is one that aligns itself perfectly with its name, charged with a palpable vitality that almost seeps out of the room. Talbot’s unrestrained use of colour and magnitude reflects perfectly the explorations of life, death, growth, divine femininity, and connection in this collection of artwork.
After having graduated Royal College of Art in 1995, with worldwide exhibitions in places such as Amsterdam, Beijing, London, and New York, winner of the Max Mara prize (2019-21) Emma Talbot brings ‘Everything is Energy’ to the Arnolfini at a time of increasing uncertainty about the future of our society and thus creates an artistic space in which we can perhaps find some answers.
Upon entering the exhibition, the sheer ambition of Emma Talbot’s work was clear to see. One of the primary pieces on the downstairs floor, a vast silk tapestry titled ‘Are You a Living Thing That Is Dying or a Dying Thing That is Living?’ envelops the viewer as they observe the intricate paintings of nature and the movement of bodies through the imagined cosmos-like landscapes; with Talbot’s choice of style creating an organic and earthly feel simultaneously. The use of text within Talbot’s work serves to immerse the viewer further, facilitating messages such as ‘whether you like it not, your nails grow’ and ‘give birth to yourself over time’ and thus foregrounding the cyclical elements of her art too. Indeed, growth in relation to the cycle of life and death is a prevalent element of ‘Everything Is Energy’, as seen in the beautiful textiles piece: ‘Generative Plant 2025’, which also introduces an element of spirituality into Talbot’s work through imagery reminiscent of a Hindu deity.
‘Everything is Energy: Ancient Spirits’ (acrylic on silk) further encapsulates the incorporeal nature of Talbot’s work; with its use of linework and colour imitating the flow of energy that the collection of artworks centres itself around. Certainly, the way in which the divine feminine underscores this exhibition contributes to the spirituality of it, through smaller, more intimate pieces such as ‘Sheelanagig’ (watercolour on Khadi paper). The unclothed figures that pervade many of Talbot’s pieces seemed to me a representation of the female experience in itself, with Talbot interlocking a profound appreciation of womanhood with a similar awe of nature.
In a world that is increasingly digital, with the threat of climate change looming over the future; Emma Talbot’s tender exploration of how to navigate life provides viewers with a moment of respite. ‘Everything is energy’ is imaginative and vigorous in its messages and crucially includes political and eco-critical nuances around the world we inhabit, whilst emphasising the importance of connection to each other. It is this interweaving of humans and the environment that creates a sense of togetherness, despite Talbot’s unflinching examination of the inevitability of death and the dangerous effects of excessive technology. Indeed, the exhibition’s complex undercurrents became more apparent when I witnessed the main event on the second floor, titled ‘Everything is Energy’, an extensive silk tapestry that was rich with storytelling and detail. As I walked around the room, a slight breeze generated ripples of movement in the fabric, exacerbating the feeling of the flow of energy that Talbot’s artwork aims to bring attention to. ‘Everything is Energy’ traverses a tension between hope and despair, with the portrayal of an almost apocalyptic imagined future reminding the viewer to switch off from the ever-growing virtual globe and carve out an internal space that is rooted in an appreciation for our environment and each other.
Assuredly, Talbot’s exhibition is an immersive experience. Her technical talents shine through the range of medias she utilises: intimate drawings, vast tapestries, textile art, sculptural pieces, and animated media. The exhibition is arranged in a way that is easy to navigate, and any viewer will find themselves captivated by the imagination and spirit of its subject matter. I would highly recommend allowing yourself time to visit this exhibition, and by extension, slow down and be reminded of the hope that can be found within art.
Emma Talbot’s ‘Everything is Energy’ runs from the 18th of October 2025 to the 8th of February 2026 and is free to enter, although donations are greatly appreciated by the Arnolfini Gallery.
Featured image: Epigram / Freda Maddison
Will you visit Emma Talbot's new exhibition at Arnolfini?
