Essie Somma

Essie Somma’s work explores intersectional environmentalism and overcoming patriarchal parameters through magical realism. Using cultural identity, gender expression, and nostalgia as foils, her paintings highlight subtle strangeness in the ways women move through the world. Her affinity for feminine hijinks and playing pretend leads to figurative works that play off of dark humor. Ultimately, Essie’s paintings depict a feral reality simmering under the surface, one that rages for connection to the planet and each other.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts
University of California Santa Barbara
Sotheby's Institute of Art London

Unsettled - Solo Show - Swells'a Brewing - Kill Devil Hills, NC 2024

What Killed the Cat - Solo Show - Treasure Hill Artist Village - Taipei, Taiwan 2024

Collision II: REBORN - Group Show - Teduh House - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2024

Honey Hunters - Solo Show - Siddhartha Gallery - Kathmandu, Nepal 2023

Women in Action - Group Show - Davu Gallery - Kathmandu, Nepal 2023
Reefer Madness - Group Show - Future Shock Records - Portland, OR 2022

​Power Positions: a Dismantling of Phallacies - Group Show - Elisabeth Jones Art Center - Portland, OR 2022

​Think With Your Art - Group Show - Future Shock Records - Portland, OR 2022

Tits, Pits, and Naughty Bits - Group Show - Leicester, UK 2021

Daydreams - Solo Show - Just Bob PDX - Portland, OR 2021

Global Arts Festival - Group Mural Exhibition - Elisabeth Jones Art Center 2021

​Part I: the Era of Seclusion - Group Exhibition - Visionary Projects - New York, NY 2020

​The View From Here - Group Exhibition - Elisabeth Jones Art Center 2020

​Man's Relationship with the Wild - Collaborative Show - Elisabeth Jones Art Center 2019

​Neighborhood Associations Rock - Collaborative Show - Elisabeth Jones Art Center 2019

​No Place Like Home - Group Show -Elisabeth Jones Art Center 2018

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