Essie Somma

Essie Somma’s paintings depict a feral reality simmering under the surface, one that rages for connection to the planet and each other. Her work explores intersectional environmentalism while confronting patriarchal parameters through surreal aesthetics. Her paintings highlight the subtle strangeness in how women move through the world. Her affinity for feminine hijinks and playing pretend leads to figurative works that play with dark humor and moral ambiguity.

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

Undomesticated - Solo Show - Dare Arts - Manteo, NC - 2026

The French Perspective - Group Show - Université Catholique de Lille - Lille, France - 2026

Dis/Comfort - Group Show - University of Alaska Fairbanks - Fairbanks, AK - 2025

Good Company - Group Show - Dare Arts - Manteo, NC - 2025

Witchcraft - Group Show - Swells 'a Brewing - Kill Devil Hills, NC - 2025

In Between - Group Show - The Gallery ATX - Austin, TX - 2025

30th Annual Artist Self Portrait Exhibition - Group Show - Ghost Fleet Gallery - Nags Head, NC - 2024

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 ...