About Kate
Working from photographs, sketches and memory, Kate creates stunning images based on her love for the Devon and Cornwall coast and countryside. Defying any attempt to pigeonhole her extraordinary work, she summons these familiar scenes with the use of an unexpected array of materials or ‘ingredients’ and great technical dexterity. The result is something totally unique.
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A recent move to the North Devon coast has fuelled her imagination and provided a wealth of inspiration right on the doorstep.
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Kate has fulfilled numerous commissions and has had work exhibited throughout the South West and nationwide. She is an Academician at the South west Academy of Fine and Applied Arts (SWAc), a member of The Fine Art Trade Guild and an Associate Guild Society Artist (AGSA).
Kate's story
My earliest memories of being creative stem back to childhood weekends and school holidays which were spent at the kitchen table, cutting out, sewing and sticking, usually peg dolls and papier-mâché objects. My inspiration would come from the boxes full of fabric, lace, braid, buttons and beads, which my mum had collected for her intricate miniature collage portraits.
She would pile it high on the table for me to delve in to. I’d lose hours, engrossed in completing individual projects. I was in my element.
Both parents being artists had a huge influence on me and played a fundamental part in my creative development. Summer holidays and days out were usually geared around my dad finding the perfect spot to paint or to take photographs for future work. Whether it was Sundays spent on Dartmoor, camping in the South West Peninsula of Cornwall or Provence, Southern France, I was constantly exposed to inspiring scenery.
The family saying “Look at the View!” has remained with me to this day, as my brother and I were always encouraged to do so.
My progression into an artistic career was a natural one. Being creative was my passion and it was something I excelled at. After completing a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design I went on to do a BA Honours Degree in Fashion and Textiles. It was during this time that I started to become inventive with the use of different materials in my work.
One such project led to clothing being made out of rubber tyre inner tubes and my final year collection was machine knitted incorporating fuse wire! College allowed for my creative imagination to flow and producing something different and original was encouraged.
I still look at the most bizarre or ordinary, everyday objects and materials and wonder what I could make out of them.
My early fascination with textiles, colour and fabrics has continued into my professional life and the magpie or squirrel approach to collecting materials (my ingredients!) is paramount to my way of working as a fine art collage artist.
Exhibitions and Art Fairs
Since 2010 Kate has been exhibiting in the Open and Academician’s shows of The South West Academy of Fine and Applied arts. Other regular exhibitions in the South West have included The Exeter Art Show at The Maynard and The Big Colyton Art Show.
Art Fairs:
Affordable Art Fair Battersea London, UK
8 Jul - 11 Jul 2021
1 1 Mar - 15 Mar 2020
7 Mar - 10 Mar 2019
Fresh : Contemporary Art Fair Cheltenham, UK
26 Apr - 28 Apr 2019
