Emma, Plain Emma

Poetry and visual artwork by Rowena Dunlap Burke and Eric Hovermale. License: All Rights Reserved.

"They Call me Emma, Plain Emma."

Emma, Plain Emma is an art object by Rowena Dunlap Burke (poetry) and Eric Hovermale (imagery) installed at the Newport Art Museum in Newport, Rhode Island.

Its protagonist is Emma Helmine Caroline Josephine Wagner (1893–1974) who is depicted in a life-size photograph. Superimposed is a poem written like an autobiography and set inEmily In White, a typeface based on the handwriting of Emily Dickinson. The unique balance between verbal, typographic and photographic elements in this artwork is made perfect by translucent background material and soft backlighting.

Poetry and visual artwork by Rowena Dunlap Burke and Eric Hovermale. License: All Rights Reserved.

"My father is a tailor and my mother is a dressmaker. / I excel at both trades."

Poetry and visual artwork by Rowena Dunlap Burke and Eric Hovermale. License: All Rights Reserved.

"And though I am plain, I make beautiful things."

Poetry and visual artwork by Rowena Dunlap Burke and Eric Hovermale. License: All Rights Reserved.

Poetry and visual artwork by Rowena Dunlap Burke and Eric Hovermale. License: All Rights Reserved.