Emma Scadeng
My name is Emma Scadeng, and I am a 42-year-old self-taught artist with roots that reflect both my family and cultural heritage. My father is from England, and my mother is from Meawo Island, although she was born and raised on Santo Island. I am also a proud mother of two children, and alongside family life, art has remained a constant and meaningful part of who I am.
My artistic journey began at a very young age. Some of my fondest memories are sitting with my father, colouring in children's colouring books. He taught me the basic techniques of colour shading, how to transition from bold to light tones, and how colours can be blended to create depth and movement. Seeing my interest grow, he encouraged me by buying my first set of watercolours. Over the years, this expanded to acrylic paints, pastel chalks, oil paints, and paint brushes. Whenever I completed an artwork he particularly liked, he would proudly frame it and hang it on the wall. Looking back now, those moments helped build the foundation of my love for art.
My mother was equally influential in my creative development. She owned a small Arts and Crafts shop at Santo Airport, where she sold souvenirs to visitors. She often involved me in creating screen-printed T-shirts, and I remember cutting flower stencils that we used to paint designs onto fabric. These experiences taught me that art could be expressed in many different forms and sparked my love for creating with my hands.
For many years, however, I kept much of my artwork hidden. I often felt that my work was not good enough and lacked the confidence to share it with others. Like many artists, I was my own biggest critic. Thankfully, my family and friends continued to encourage me, reminding me of my abilities when I doubted myself. Their support gave me the confidence to keep creating and to challenge myself in ways I never thought possible.
One of the proudest achievements in my artistic journey was painting a 3.5 metre high by 12 metre long floral mural at the Regenerative Vanua Office. Taking on such a large-scale project was both exciting and intimidating, but it became one of my most rewarding experiences as an artist. I could never have accomplished it without the encouragement, belief, and support of my family and friends, and I remain deeply grateful for their role in helping me reach that milestone.
Today, drawing, colouring, painting on canvas, creating stencils, and making art in all its forms is still my happy place. Art is my escape, my peace, and a way to calm my busy mind. When I am creating, I feel as though I step into another world where I can express myself freely and connect with my emotions, imagination, and surroundings.
I am particularly inspired by abstract art, nature, and sunsets, and these themes often appear throughout my work. I also have a deep love and appreciation for Vanuatu's rich culture, traditions, customs, and natural beauty. As I continue growing as an artist, I hope my artwork will increasingly reflect the spirit of Vanuatu, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant environment, cultural heritage, and the stories that make our islands so unique. Through my art, I hope to celebrate and honour the beauty of our people, our customs, and the connection we have with the land and sea.
I am still discovering my artistic style and voice. I believe learning never stops, and I remain open to gaining knowledge, inspiration, and new techniques from other artists and creative professionals. Every piece I create is part of my journey, reflecting not only what I see around me but also the experiences, challenges, growth, and joy that have shaped me along the way.
"Art is my happy place, my escape, and my peace. It allows me to slow down, dream, and create. Through every painting, I continue to discover not only the artist I am becoming, but also the person I am. My hope is that my artwork celebrates the beauty, culture, and spirit of Vanuatu for generations to come."
– Emma Scadeng
