Ema Shin is a Narrm/Melbourne based artist who was born and grew up in Niigata, Japan in a Korean migrant family (3rd generation of Zainichi). She studied printmaking at Tama Art University, Tokyo and completed a Master of Fine Art Degree at Aichi University of the Arts, Aichi. She has held numerous solo and group exhibitions in Japan, Korea, Australia, and other countries.
Shin’s experiences have included a residency at the Australian Tapestry Workshop and many exhibitions include McClelland National Small Sculpture Awards, Victorian Craft Awards, Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries (first prize 2017), the Tamworth Textile Triennial that toured to eleven locations. Shin’s recent solo exhibition Hearts of Absent Women is a celebration of the lives and energy of anonymous women through personal experiences with her own culture and Australian society. Her inter-disciplinary practice, application of historical techniques and use of tactile materials result in contemporary artworks that express femininity and sexuality.

"Through my artwork, vibrant colours and shapes attract people’s attention and provide an opportunity for them to think about the social and political issues that many women and minority groups face in our society. The theme of my work is femininity, and the female body and anatomy, which presents emotions and awareness of self-love."