Chicago-based artist Emmy Star Brown is transforming urban architecture into playful, dynamic landscapes where vibrant, amorphous shapes intersect with energetic squiggles and occasional geometric lettering. Known for her large-scale installations that stretch edge-to-edge across interior and exterior surfaces, Brown approaches her studio practice as a liberating space where her inner child can emerge, paring down complex visual expressions to the fundamental formal qualities of line, shape, and high-contrast color.
Drawing heavily upon her professional background in visual communications and advertising, Brown understands how to capture attention and manipulate spatial dynamics. However, rather than directing viewers toward a commercial product or promotional message, her large-scale public and private works invite passersby into a sensory experience. Her murals take over ordinary urban infrastructure—spanning everything from garage doors and high-rise platforms to sprawling interior walls—turning neglected or utilitarian architectural elements into exuberant romps of color and form.
In one notable project, Brown brought a pair of functional garage doors to life with an explosion of abstract shapes, framing the composition with the thoughtful geometric lettering of the words “sustain” and “preserve.” In another massive undertaking, she tackled the challenging underside of a high-rise building’s raised platform, wrapping the concrete canopy in fluid shapes that completely redefine the shaded space below. Whether she is seated at the base of a towering mural applying the finishing touches to a pristine edge or mapping out a complex composition across an irregular urban surface, her process is rooted in a meticulous balance of scale, composition, and emotional resonance.
The artist’s distinctive style bridges the gap between structured commercial design and uninhibited creative play. By stripping away extraneous details and focusing purely on shape, line, and contrast, Brown creates visual environments that encourage viewers to pause, look closer, and experience a momentary sense of wonder within the built environment. Her ability to adapt these playful forms to diverse architectural surfaces—from flat interior panels to complex, multi-dimensional urban exteriors—highlights her versatility as a contemporary muralist and installation artist.
For those eager to experience her work beyond the city streets, Brown’s creations are currently being showcased in a group setting. Her art is on view alongside that of Danym Kwon in an exhibition titled The Peace of Wild Things, hosted at Joy Machine. The exhibition offers a complementary space to experience the artists’ distinct approaches to contemporary visual culture. Art enthusiasts and followers can also explore a broader archive of her ongoing projects, behind-the-scenes installation processes, and completed murals by visiting her official website or following her updates on Instagram.
