Beyond Hollywood—how Audrey Hepburn’s granddaughter is making a name for herself
- Replies 0
In the golden age of Hollywood, Audrey Hepburn's grace and charm captivated audiences worldwide. Fast forward to today, and her legacy continues, not through the silver screen but via the canvas and quiet life of her granddaughter, Emma Ferrer.
Unlike the typical image of celebrity offspring, Ferrer is carving out her own path, one that diverges significantly from the glitz and glamour associated with her iconic grandmother.
For over a decade, Ferrer has refined her craft, leading to her first solo exhibition, The Scapegoat, now on display at Sapar Contemporary in Tribeca. Despite her famous lineage, she remains committed to her artistic journey on her own terms.
“I am extremely introverted and dedicated,” Ferrer told The Post. “I’m not a party person or a social person, so I just really like living in this very beautiful, rural, secluded place with my dogs and my boyfriend.”
Ferrer’s move to Tuscany in 2021 led to an unexpected romantic connection. While hiking in the Apuan Alps, she became lost, prompting search-and-rescue efforts.
Before officials could find her, she stumbled upon local villagers, and news of the incident quickly spread. One of those who heard about it was Italian artist Thomas Pucci, who reached out after reading an article about her.
“Someone sent my boyfriend the article, being like, ‘This girl in your village got lost.’ So he wrote to me on Instagram and was like, ‘I know all the hiking trails,’” Ferrer recalled.
Born in Switzerland, Ferrer split her childhood between Italy and Los Angeles. While in LA, she attended Crossroads, a school known for educating children of Hollywood’s elite. Even at a young age, she was aware of the industry’s influence but gravitated toward a quieter existence.
After completing her education in Italy, she studied at the Florence Academy of Art and later moved to New York City to immerse herself in the art world. Unlike those who embrace celebrity culture, Ferrer took a different approach.
“I always craved that excitement of New York,” she shared. “I lived on the Upper East Side, in Jersey City, in Bushwick, Fort Greene, the East Village. I stayed in people’s spare rooms. I lived all over.”
Despite being sought out by Harper’s Bazaar in 2014 for a cover shoot that drew comparisons to her grandmother, Ferrer remained steadfast in her artistic ambitions. She worked in various galleries and lived modestly while honing her skills. The pandemic led her back to Italy, where she embraced a slower, more focused lifestyle dedicated to painting.
“Painting was always my ultimate goal,” she explained. “When I moved back to Italy during the pandemic, everything slowed down … I really took a breath to dedicate myself to my practice. I paint every day, and this is very much my life now.”
“It’s been a nice full-circle moment,” Emma Ferrer stated. Image Source: Instagram/@ekhferrer
While she acknowledges that her family name initially sparks curiosity, Ferrer is determined to let her work speak for itself.
“I’m extremely acknowledging of the fact that people are interested in me because of who my grandmother is, and I don’t think that there’s any way around that, nor would I ever want to hide it,” she stated. “I think that the only thing that I can do in my power is continue to work really, really hard … I am extremely serious about my work and my practice.”
Now, Ferrer’s dedication is paying off with her solo exhibition The Scapegoat, which explores the intricate relationship between humanity, animals, and nature. She draws inspiration from her Tuscan surroundings and has long admired the aesthetic and emotional depth of religious art.
“I have always been extremely enamored with the aesthetic of Christianity,” she said. “I find it beautiful and moving … especially here in Italy, where it’s ingrained in the person and the culture.”
Adding to the significance of this milestone, Ferrer’s exhibit is being hosted at Sapar Contemporary—where she once worked while living in New York.
“It’s been a nice full-circle moment,” she reflected. “I always used to envy the artists that were professional and represented by the gallery, and I was just kind of hustling and painting on the side. And now, 10 years later, having a show there has been really, really nice to come around.” The Scapegoat will be on view at Sapar Contemporary until February 15.
As Ferrer's exhibition continues to attract visitors, it's clear that she is not just the granddaughter of Audrey Hepburn, she is an artist in her own right, making her mark on the world with a brushstroke of individuality and a palette of introspection.
Have you or someone you know defied expectations in a similar way? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
Unlike the typical image of celebrity offspring, Ferrer is carving out her own path, one that diverges significantly from the glitz and glamour associated with her iconic grandmother.
For over a decade, Ferrer has refined her craft, leading to her first solo exhibition, The Scapegoat, now on display at Sapar Contemporary in Tribeca. Despite her famous lineage, she remains committed to her artistic journey on her own terms.
“I am extremely introverted and dedicated,” Ferrer told The Post. “I’m not a party person or a social person, so I just really like living in this very beautiful, rural, secluded place with my dogs and my boyfriend.”
Ferrer’s move to Tuscany in 2021 led to an unexpected romantic connection. While hiking in the Apuan Alps, she became lost, prompting search-and-rescue efforts.
Before officials could find her, she stumbled upon local villagers, and news of the incident quickly spread. One of those who heard about it was Italian artist Thomas Pucci, who reached out after reading an article about her.
“Someone sent my boyfriend the article, being like, ‘This girl in your village got lost.’ So he wrote to me on Instagram and was like, ‘I know all the hiking trails,’” Ferrer recalled.
Born in Switzerland, Ferrer split her childhood between Italy and Los Angeles. While in LA, she attended Crossroads, a school known for educating children of Hollywood’s elite. Even at a young age, she was aware of the industry’s influence but gravitated toward a quieter existence.
After completing her education in Italy, she studied at the Florence Academy of Art and later moved to New York City to immerse herself in the art world. Unlike those who embrace celebrity culture, Ferrer took a different approach.
“I always craved that excitement of New York,” she shared. “I lived on the Upper East Side, in Jersey City, in Bushwick, Fort Greene, the East Village. I stayed in people’s spare rooms. I lived all over.”
Despite being sought out by Harper’s Bazaar in 2014 for a cover shoot that drew comparisons to her grandmother, Ferrer remained steadfast in her artistic ambitions. She worked in various galleries and lived modestly while honing her skills. The pandemic led her back to Italy, where she embraced a slower, more focused lifestyle dedicated to painting.
“Painting was always my ultimate goal,” she explained. “When I moved back to Italy during the pandemic, everything slowed down … I really took a breath to dedicate myself to my practice. I paint every day, and this is very much my life now.”
“It’s been a nice full-circle moment,” Emma Ferrer stated. Image Source: Instagram/@ekhferrer
While she acknowledges that her family name initially sparks curiosity, Ferrer is determined to let her work speak for itself.
“I’m extremely acknowledging of the fact that people are interested in me because of who my grandmother is, and I don’t think that there’s any way around that, nor would I ever want to hide it,” she stated. “I think that the only thing that I can do in my power is continue to work really, really hard … I am extremely serious about my work and my practice.”
Now, Ferrer’s dedication is paying off with her solo exhibition The Scapegoat, which explores the intricate relationship between humanity, animals, and nature. She draws inspiration from her Tuscan surroundings and has long admired the aesthetic and emotional depth of religious art.
“I have always been extremely enamored with the aesthetic of Christianity,” she said. “I find it beautiful and moving … especially here in Italy, where it’s ingrained in the person and the culture.”
Adding to the significance of this milestone, Ferrer’s exhibit is being hosted at Sapar Contemporary—where she once worked while living in New York.
“It’s been a nice full-circle moment,” she reflected. “I always used to envy the artists that were professional and represented by the gallery, and I was just kind of hustling and painting on the side. And now, 10 years later, having a show there has been really, really nice to come around.” The Scapegoat will be on view at Sapar Contemporary until February 15.
As Ferrer's exhibition continues to attract visitors, it's clear that she is not just the granddaughter of Audrey Hepburn, she is an artist in her own right, making her mark on the world with a brushstroke of individuality and a palette of introspection.
Have you or someone you know defied expectations in a similar way? Share your stories with us in the comments below!
