Emma Stern

NEW YORK PAINTER EMMA STERN REVISITS TRADITIONAL PORTRAITURE THROUGH AVATARS AND META-FANTASIES OF HERSELF. INTERVIEW AND PORTRAIT BY OLIVIER ZAHM OLIVIER ZAHM — We’re doing this issue about New York. Because it’s not that New York is back — New York has always been a center for the art world and for creativity — but during Covid, a lot of people ran away, and now the city’s super expensive. And you live and work in Bushwick, Brooklyn. What’s Bushwick like? EMMA STERN — Bushwick is a special place, although when I’m not working, I spend most of my time in Manhattan. I always say that New York City is the love of my life, although I also refer to it as an abusive relationship because I’ll get exhausted and worn down by the grind, and I’ll be like: “Okay, you know what? I’m done. You treat me so bad, I’m…