Art reflects our highest hopes and deepest fears. For centuries, artists have leveraged art to display their social and political standings and share their viewpoints with the masses.
Through his vibrant creations, EMA aims to answer questions that define the human condition: Who are we? How did we get here? And, most pressingly, where are we going? His artistic sense—characterized by psychedelic colors, surreal motifs, and animal metaphors—offers viewers a platform to engage with themes of mental health, conflict, love, and resilience.
The Artist as Activist
EMA’s artistic tendencies have been evident since his early days. His time at college involved painting, storytelling, and journalism. He has worked in some of the world’s most conflict-ridden regions, such as Angola and Rwanda, as a UN peacekeeper and human rights advocate for 25 years. These experiences also inspired his art to highlight the possible risks to humanity.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, EMA created the Coronavirus Series, a collection of 12 collages that focuses on the societal fractures exposed by the virus. The collages were mainly dominated by the themes of authoritarianism, exploitation, and love, which came alive through his signature neon colors and intricate compositions.His subsequent projects, including the Lucid Dreaming and Radioactive Beasts series, expanded his focus to include climate change and the potential consequences of nuclear war.
In April 2023, EMA’s Radioactive Beasts series was displayed on a Times Square, New York billboard. Backed by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the series highlighted the risks of nuclear escalation and the necessity of peace.
Promemoria – A Reminder to Humanity
In 2024, EMA published Promemoria (Sending Out an SOS), a book that captures the essence of his artistic message. The book combines EMA’s iconic works with reflections on humanity’s capacity for self-destruction and renewal. Drawing inspiration from George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Gianni Rodari’s poetry, EMA uses animals to symbolize the effects of warfare.
Melissa Parke, Executive Director of ICAN and author of the book’s foreword, contextualizes EMA’s art within the broader fight for global survival. Parke writes,“Artists have a significant part to play in raising public consciousness of the dangers we face and in mobilizing people to take action to save our world – their works can resonate in ways the written or spoken word cannot. EMA’s art is a powerful exploration of the threats our species has managed to produce to its future and the future of every living thing on the planet.”
She further emphasizes that while existential challenges like climate change and pandemics are apparent, nuclear weapons are a uniquely immediate danger, with more than 12,100 of them worldwide. EMA’s work, Parke explains, serves as both a warning and a call to action to encourage collaboration and bring peace before it’s too late.
Art as a Bridge and a Savior
For EMA, art holds moral values. As his work suggests, “Maybe we should think more about the world we want for our children. There are things to never do… For example, war.”
Through his art, EMA reminds us that our choices today will shape the legacies we leave behind. He asks us to reject apathy, embrace dialogue, and work toward a world where peace and compassion prevail.
As Melissa Parke aptly states, “Promemoria harnesses human artistic creativity to produce an urgent call to action to end war and rid the world of nuclear weapons. We need to heed its call.”
Visit the author’s website and learn more about his work here.
