Emi is an interdisciplinary artist from Yakima, Washington, who goes by the artist alias H.R. Emi. Their work reflects on Emi’s life journey as a queer first-generation Mexican American. Through a lens of translating, navigating, interpreting, and uncovering heritage roots— they began their artistic process. H.R. Emi's work blends realism, iconography, and language to create an interactive narrative with the viewer. Emi explains, “I depict what is around me. What I see in my environment and what is happening in my community”. Influenced by the duality of their Mexican and American identity, they reflect on how space and experiences can feel unexplainable. By embracing the beauty of the inexplicable, they capture the feelings that have no exact words.

H.R. Emi (b. 2000) has a BFA in Studio Art from Central Washington University. They are currently pursuing a BA in Communication with a Minor in Business. Within the next few years, they aspire to get a Master in Fine Arts and Art History. Emi has shown in Yakima, Tri-Cities, Ellensburg, Seattle, and Bridgetown, Barbados. An awarded artist, H.R. Emi has received the 2021 Grant for Artists’ Progress from Artist Trust and the 2023 Emerging Artist Program Affiliate Membership from Gallery 110 located in Seattle. They still hold an extended EAP membership at Gallery 110 with gallery representation. In 2023, Emi alongside four Yakima Valley artists founded Mezcla Collective, an artist collective that advocates for BIPOC+ artists in Central Washington. Their latest project is Liminal Estudio, an art studio within the Yakima Valley; its mission is to provide quality art workshops and art in a warm, welcoming space.