Mark Hipshire and Emma Slaymaker: Shared Spaces

August 7-28, 2020
Mark Hipshire and Emma Slaymaker: Shared Spaces
Opening reception: Friday, August 7, 4:00-7:00 PM
Viewing hours by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

These two Knoxville natives met for the first time across the ocean while living in western France. An intangible sense of familiarity helped them bond quickly in their respective foreign landscapes, and they soon learned about their many shared interests. Both want to promote conservation of the Earth’s ecosystems and find ways of their own to do so. They share a passion for art and use it as an outlet for this message of compassion and conservation. Mark Hipshire, coming from a marine sciences background, compliments Emma Slaymaker’s knowledge of terrestrial farm work and horseback riding, and together they hope to use their art to reconnect themselves and others with a love for nature.

Mark Hipshire’s passion for painting and drawing originates from his work in chemistry and marine biology. As an undergraduate student he worked in a research lab with crystalline scintillators that would glow under ultraviolet radiation. As a graduate student he would go on to study marine sciences, where he became fascinated with the bioluminescent glow of deep-sea creatures. His current portfolio uses scintillating (UV reactive) paints to recreate the bioluminescent effects of marine organisms. He aims to use the wonder of seeing these creatures to inspire others to help preserve our planet’s natural resources for the future. Follow him on Instagram @m_hip_jr.

Emma Slaymaker is a Knoxville artist, born and raised. From a young age she developed a love for animals, especially horses. She has grown up riding and working on farms. This passion, along with her long held passion for art, has brought her down the path of animal portraiture. She wants to share her love for animals as well as spread a message of compassion and conservation through her art. Follow her on Instagram @es.artworks.