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).
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.
CrIses - 2017 - System Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Crises of clarity & direction at the crossroads of word & image. Drawn and typed transparency converge. Sketch and stamped ribbon coalesce.
CondItIons - 2017 - Circus Art, Edinburgh
Conditions of synchronicity, spontaneity & symbolism subsist.
Investigating hierarchy in word and image. Drawings with a transparency of words. (Image & typed acetate.)
Circus, Circus - 2016 - Circus Cafe, Edinburgh
Chaos and uncertainty colliding in circus. Drawings ticketed with an admission of word/thought. (Image and ticket)
Other Solo Shows:
Salon Theatre - 2011 - C. Alevroyianni Assoc.s, Newcastle
Theatre and Art share the stage.
Conversations - 2010 - University of Northumbria
Conversation with self, another, the Other.
Moths - 2005 - Jedbrugh Art Centre, Scottish Borders
Words, like moths, flutter towards the light.
Postcard profiles - 2002 - Horticultural Halls, London
Postcard say a thousand words. A thousand postcards make one image.
Group Shows:
Floating Worlds (Group Show) at bg Gallery, Los Angeles, in conjunction with Venice Institute for Contemporary Art (Nov 2019}
Glance Sideways. Oil on canvas with letters.
Representational Abstract 2 (Group Show) bg Gallery Artsy (Sep 2019}
Awakening. Acrylic on paper with letters.
Carnival (Group show) Fill The Gap Gallery, Leytonstone, London UK
Somersaulter. Printing ink on paper. (July 2019)
Gestalt 6 (Group show) bg Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Moon Reach Acrylic on glass. (June 2019)
Gestalt Circular Cluster (Group show) Los Angeles Art Show 2019 bg Gallery booth, Los Angeles Convention Center
Stone Glass Window. Acrylic on glass
Gestalt 5 (Group Show) bg Gallery, Los Angeles
Desert Sand Road. Print on paper, typed acetate. (2018)
Thankyou for visiting this website. Kathryn & RD Wakeman's work is available for purchase at bg gallery. Please click on the image below.