Biography
Emma Soefker (American, b. 2001) earned her BFA in Graphic Design from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2024. Her work delves into the intersection of culture and identity formation, with a particular focus on fashion, art, and storytelling. Since its founding issue in Spring 2021, Emma was an integral part of Strike Magazine Chattanooga, a student-run publication highlighting fashion, art, and culture. She began as a graphic designer and worked her way up to Creative Director, a role she held for three issues, demonstrating her commitment to growth and leadership within a creative team. Emma remained with the magazine through Issue 07, completing her involvement upon graduation.Since graduating, Emma has expanded her professional experience with an internship at Sterna Studios, where she honed her skills in client communication and professional-level photoshoots. She is also a stylist at Anthropologie, where she creates style walls, assists in styling mannequins, and gains hands-on experience styling customers. These experiences deepen her understanding of fashion and visual storytelling, aligning with her passion for art direction and publication design within the fashion industry.
Emma remains deeply interested in art direction and publication design within the fashion industry, aiming to further explore these fields.
Artist Statement
Narratives and mythologies serve as guiding forces shaping our emotions and perceptions of reality. In my artistic endeavors, I delve into the realms of identity, culture, and fashion, exploring the rich tapestry of storytelling and mythologies that envelop our existence. By challenging established systems and conventions, I strive to push the boundaries, experimenting and testing limits to unveil fresh perspectives. The boundless creativity of humanity never fails to inspire me, highlighting the transformative power inherent in everyday life.My artistic expression is deeply rooted in emotion, spurred by the dynamic interplay between people, environments, and objects that surround me. Fashion, in particular, fascinates me as a medium for self-expression within the context of social imitation. It represents a departure from the past, privileging novelty and innovation over tradition—a departure from the traditional societies where great respect for the old reigns supreme.
With a keen interest in the intersection of storytelling, identity, and fashion, my work is driven by a desire to explore how narratives within the fashion industry shape consumer behavior and product value. Central to this exploration is the notion of individual agency—a proactive engagement with the fashion world that defies passive adherence to its norms.