Fine Artist | Kathryn Wakeman

Artist's Statement

My approach is to put together existing visual discourses such as the nude, to reverse and disrupt the laws of optics to achieve alternative readings - different interpretations of reality and image. To use traditional devices such as scale and fragmentation in different ways to explore a language of closeness. Magnification speaks of intense scrutiny, colour and line delineate an unknown body landscape, both intimate and distant. Scale is reversed in smaller works and figures become signs, suggesting action or meaning. Prints made directly from the body touch upon skin, form and impression. The work questions ideas about the female body, beauty, gender, identity and cultural positions, to find new interpretations. Investigations are ongoing...

Artist

Kathryn Wakeman received a diploma in art and design at Leamington College (1992) and her B.A. at Cheltenham School of Art (1995). She received her M.A. at Northumbria University (1997) and was designated "a rising star of M.A. painting".

Her work was exhibited at Herbert Museum and Art Gallery in the Coventry Open XVI and XIV North Tyneside Open and bought as part of their collection. The work has been exhibited in the UK, including Northern Ireland, London, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh. Exhibitions abroad include Russia, Spain, USA, Germany and Italy.

She has been the recipient of two Arts Council Arts Residency Awards, two Arts Council Travel Awards, and European Development Award. She is a recipient of a Tourism and the Arts Award from North Tyneside Council.

She works from studios in London and Newcastle and in collaboration with USA based writer, RD Wakeman in developing innovative new works.

Curation

Kathryn was curator and gallery manager at The Customs House, South Shields where she worked with worldwide artists. She also curated 65 artists in 65 spaces around Newcastle at STUFF Unofficial Fringe coinciding with The Baltic Gallery's British Art Show. Other curation includes Northumbria University, Westminster Halls, Changing Rooms Gallery & Tannery Gallery, London (alongside Stephen Hepworth).

Bio

Art Collaboration

Art Collaborations

(with RD Wakeman, playwright)

Chronicle Live article about the artists

Two of Kathryn's oil paintings installed in a living space.

SOLO SHOWS

Convergencies - 2018 - The Exchange, North Shields

A collaboration of word and image to explore aspects of hierarchy and synchronicity. Curated by Kathryn.

Changes - 2018 - The People's Theatre, Newcastle

A Conversation surrounding Changes, in Circumstances, in Conditions, and any ensuing Crises. 82 Images threaded with transparency or ribbon. A dialogic exchange of word and image. Curated by Kathryn.

CIrcumstances - 2017 - Gallery 45, Morpeth

In Circumstances, conditions are connected to situations. Images and words collude. A tissue of words lies over an image, an image underlies a tissue of words. Beside, inside, around, surround.