Emma Connolly was born in Bray, County Wicklow in 1976 and graduated in Fine Art from the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dunlaoghaire in 1997. She later moved to Belfast, Northern Ireland to continue her studies at the University of Ulster where she gained a Masters in Fine Art degree in 2004.

Since then Connolly has continued to develop her career as a professional artist, enjoying considerable success with solo exhibitions at the Ava Gallery situated in the Clandeboye Estate just outside Belfast. She has also exhibited her work internationally taking part in exhibitions in New York and Cuba.

Connolly has also gained recognition for her work by winning several awards including the Zurich Young Artists’ Award (2005), the Carson McDowell Award (2004), and the Royal Ulster Academy President’s Prize in 2002. Most recently Connolly was awarded a bursary to take part in a residency at Tacheles Art Centre, Berlin as well as an individual artist award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Connolly’s work is featured in many public and private collections including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Zurich Insurance, the Law Society of Ireland, the Office of Public Works, Dublin, Queen’s University and the University of Ulster.

She is currently a member of the Queen Street Studios in Belfast.