This week we had the pleasure of welcoming Emma Stibbon RA to Cromer as she visited The Bigger Picture, where her striking work Hope Gap is currently on display. It was a quiet, reflective day, the kind that reminds you why bringing ambitious contemporary art to a coastal town matters.
Emma’s practice is shaped by fieldwork, by walking, by being physically present in landscapes undergoing change. Seeing her stand in front of Hope Gap here in Cromer created a moment of connection: between the chalk cliffs of Sussex and the shifting, eroding edges of North Norfolk; between her long engagement with fragile environments and the lived experience of people who watch their coastline move year by year.
During her visit, Emma spoke about the emotional weight of working in places where the ground is literally giving way. She described drawing as a form of witnessing: slow, attentive, and open to the marks left by weather, salt and time. In Cromer, that idea resonates deeply. Coastal change isn’t an abstract concept here; it’s part of daily life, part of how people understand their place in the world.
What was most striking was Emma’s generosity. She took time to talk and listen to how people here relate to the sea, the cliffs, and the constant negotiation between land and water. Her reflections helped frame Hope Gap not just as a record of a specific place, but as a wider conversation about vulnerability, resilience and the stories held in coastal landscapes.
Hosting Emma’s work as part of The Bigger Picture has already sparked thoughtful responses from our community. Her visit deepened that dialogue, reminding us that contemporary art can open up space for reflection, connection and shared understanding. It can help us see our own coastline differently, and recognise the global patterns that shape local experience.
We’re grateful to Emma for making the journey, for her openness, and for the care she brings to every conversation. Hope Gap feels at home here, and her visit made that connection even stronger.