Emma Bunt was born in 1862 to William Phillips and his wife Maria Anne (nee Russell) who were married in St Austell in 1852. Her first sending-in address was in South Croydon (1911), but by 1912 she had settled in Falmouth, Cornwall. She was a resident of Falmouth up until about 1947 when she moved to Newquay.

After Emma's marriage to Thomas Bunt, the couple spent some time in Shanghai, where he was involved in military projects for the Chinese government. According to the family tree, they had two children who died young.

She is known to have exhibited from 1911-1951 and it is believed that a floral study by her was shown at the Royal Academy. She also exhibited at Newlyn Art Gallery.

In 2016 a relative contacted the CAI to say he has two of the artist's floral works in his possession, together with two portraits of family members.