Esmeralda Montgomery is a British-American painter from London based in Chicago, IL. She creates oil paintings that use urban imagery and delicate etching techniques to enquire into phenomenology and feelings of solitude and reverence. Inspired by readings of post-Kantian philosophy, she creates surreal urban landscapes that address experiences of seeing and being seen and the absolute neutrality of being alone.
Montgomery holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and a Certificate of Museum Studies from Northwestern University. She is the recipient of an SAIC Merit Scholarship and a Faculty Nominated Scholarship for the Ox-Bow School of Art. She participated in the New Work ’23 group show at SAIC, the Small Works Winter Showcase at the Chicago Fine Art Salon, and was featured in the 2024 SAIC Spring Undergraduate Exhibition. Her work was shown as part of the My Chicagos exhibition at SAIC, which accompanied the Art Institute of Chicago’s Georgia O’Keeffe show. Most recently, Montgomery was featured in a group show titled In Dreams I Walk With You, hosted by Cherry Knot.
CV
b. 2001, London, England
Lives and works in Chicago, IL
Education
2025
Museum Studies Certificate, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
2024
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Exhibitions
2025
In Dreams I Walk With You, Cherry Knot, Chicago, IL
2024
My Chicagos: Students Honor Georgia O’Keeffe, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Spring Undergraduate Exhibition, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2023
Small Works Winter Showcase, Chicago Fine Art Salon, Chicago, IL
New Work ‘23, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL
Awards
2023
Faculty Nominated Scholarship, Ox-Bow School of Art, Saugatuck, MI
2020
Merit Scholarship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL