Emily Thornhill

God’s Little Acre | The series ‘God’s Little Acre’ is a study of the tiny and often forgotten chapels of Cornwall, that reside in the most secluded of places. Serving sometimes only handfuls of people, these intricate buildings illustrate incredible levels of devotion and faith.

The design and creation of each church is an expression of the beliefs of all those involved, with each building acting as a haven from the outside world for its visitors, no matter their religious orientation. As society changes and becomes ever more secular, the role of churches within everyday life appears to be diminishing, yet they are still present within our landscapes and act as relics of the past.

Emily Thornhill is a photographer and visual artist based in the South West of England. Her practice is heavily influenced by her love for the natural world and caring for everything within it through a childhood spent in rural Cornwall. Her personal work is created from an interest in religion, philosophy and history and explores the relationship between humanity and our surrounding environment.

She enjoys experimenting with alternative photographic processes and found photography by collecting and incorporating organic substances and natural matter into her practice. The extensive research into her subjects that spans across literary, historical, philosophical, geographical, political and personal references is crucial to fully understanding the themes and contexts she is working within and contributing to. www.emilythornhill.format.com