Katie's art practice explores the human condition in relation to nature and the enduring, yet, ephemeral cycle of life and death. Her work begins with journal drawings, many of which become studies for larger scale oil paintings, and arranged around such topics as anatomy, self-portraiture, botany, wilderness and anthropomorphism. Antiquity and ancient cultures inspire her work, particularly alchemy and mytho-poetic ideas.
"Recently my art practice has explored the connection between science and art; by tracing the lives of historical women of botany, (empress Josephine Bonaparte who collected Australian exotica), including colonial-era Australian botanist Georgiana Molloy and Olive Pink, who worked with indigenous people to help identify botanical plants and herbs, their discoveries often recorded via journal drawings. My artworks revolve around journaling, pages from my journals describe my relationship to nature and ‘the other’, what is felt, a psychic space, that cannot easily be put into words."
Exhibitions & Events:
2022: "Feminisms 1974-2022" Group show, George Paton gallery, Melbourne
2016 - to present, Guest Curator, Mission To Seafarers, ANL Maritime Art Prize
2019, Group Summer Show, Libby Edwards Galleries, Melbourne
2018 (Jan 17- 3 Feb): Solo exhibition, “Feminam Plantarum” Rubicon Ari gallery, Melbourne
2017: Group show, FRANFEST poster exhibition, Ace Open Lion Arts Centre, Adelaide
2017, Group show, 550 Swan St Gallery
2015-2017, Womens Art Register, committee member
2015: International Conference of The Image, University of Berkeley, San Francisco, Presentation of Masters Research Project “Body of Water”
2015: F-Word What is Feminism? Group show, George Paton gallery, Melbourne
2015: Masters Completion Seminar presentation, Founders Gallery, Elizabeth Murdoch Building
2015: Solo show, “Body of Water”, Brightspace gallery, Melbourne
2014: VCA Travel Grant for Rome field research trip & Rome Art Program residency
2011: Carnival, Jinks Creek Gallery, Gippsland, Victoria
2010: Finalist Brunswick Street Gallery Works On Paper Prize
Education:
2015: Completed Master of Fine Arts, Victorian College of the Arts
2013: Australian Postgraduate Scholarship Award Research (APA), Master of Fine Arts by Research, Victorian College of the Arts
2001: Bachelor of Design degree (First class Honours), Exhibition/Interior Design, Swinburne University, Melbourne
winner of Design Award for honours thesis