Bodies are complex and each tell such unique visual stories. When I think of my own body, I ruminate on how it is perceived by others and how I am forced to navigate this world in a body that is limited to defined edges. When I look at others, I find the definition of beauty to be so much more expansive. It really is a joy to me to depict the human form in all of the ways that they show up in this world. I focus on creating beauty through mark-making techniques and color to highlight the beauty in every piece and every person.
Outside of the paintings I do from direct observation, my art tends to focus on my experiences within the queer community. With queer and trans rights being under increasing attack over the past few years, I’ve been drawn to depicting queer bodies in general, but especially queer bodies as subjects of beautiful and powerful. I tend to look back in history for inspiration for current times. Looking through books on queer art history as well as looking through photos in archives and publications for visual inspiration that can unite me with queer artists of the past.
Cincinnati -based painter and printmaker, Emil Wiersma has been honing his skills in figurative paintings and reduction woodcut for the past several years. Wiersma graduated form Miami University in 2022 with a B.F.A. in painting and printmaking with a minor in arts management.
Since graduating, they have continued their involvement within the arts. Having participated in Tiger Lily Press’s Urban Printmaking Fellowship 2023, worked at Plaza Artist Materials for 2.5 years as a Senior Keyholder, and he has been volunteering as a moderator at Manifest drawing center since March of 2024.
EDUCATION
2022 B.F.A. Studio Arts, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2025
Region Ninety: Regional Connections, Curated Exhibition, Community Gallery, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Open Studio + Group Art Show, Pop-Up Gallery, The Findlay Building, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tiger Lily Press: New Impressions, Member Exhibition, Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tiger Lily Press: Urban Printmakers Exhibition, The Collective Gallery, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
2024
Tiger Lily Press: Indelible Ink, Member Exhibition, Annex Gallery, Pendleton Art Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Region Ninety: Uncensored, Curated Exhibition, Guichelaar Gallery, Indianapolis, Indiana
Bourbon and Belonging: Arts & Craft, Pop-Up Gallery, Hotel Covington, Covington, Kentucky
2023
Lewis Place Exhibition, Lewis Place, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
2022
Black & White, Curated Exhibition, Martha Savage Gallery, Artscape, Lebanon, Ohio
As If It’s Our Last, B.F.A. Capstone Exhibition, Hiestand Galleries, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Blue, Visual Arts Club Exhibition, Art Lobby Gallery, Dept. of Art, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Summerfair Cincinnati: Emerging Artist Exhibition, Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
2021
Summerfair Cincinnati: Emerging Artist Digital Exhibition, Clifton Cultural Arts Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
2019
Artecha: Art, Technology, Design, Pop-Up Gallery, Alumni Hall Rotunda, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Visual Arts Club Exhibition, Art Lobby Gallery, Dept. of Art, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
2023
Urban Printmaker 2023 Fellowship, Tiger Lily Press, Cincinnati, Ohio
2022
Three Arts Scholarship, Three Arts Scholarship Fund, Cincinnati, Ohio
2021
Three Arts Scholarship, Three Arts Scholarship Fund, Cincinnati, Ohio
Awardee, Nancy F. Cady Art Scholarship, Department of Art, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
2020
Awardee, George & Galen Hoxie Scholarship, Department of Art, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
2019
Awardee, Fred & Molly Pye Memorial Scholarship, Department of Art, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
2018
Awardee, University Academic Scholars, Department of Art, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Awardee, Bridges Program for Excellence, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
WORK EXPERIENCE
2025-CURRENT Print Shop Associate, Northside Print Shop, Cincinnati, Ohio
2022-2025 Senior Keyholder, Plaza Artist Materials & Picture Framing, Cincinnati, Ohio
2019-2020 Cashier Associate, The Home Depot, Gahanna, Ohio
2019 GradU8 Learning Partner, Student Success Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2024-CURRENT Moderator, Manifest Drawing Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
2019 Gallery Assistant, Internship, Terra Gallery & Creative Studio, Dublin, Ohio
2018 Photographer, UP Magazine, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio