Kate Walters 'Mysterious Tissue : Of Flesh and Stars'

K a t e Wa l t e r s M y s t e r i o u s T i s s u e : O f F l e s h a n d S t a r s

for the animals

1

I n tr o d u cti o n

A r o u n d 1 7 , 3 0 0 yea r s a g o, a g r o u p o f Palaeolithic

s k i n t h a t b o t h d e l i n e a t e s a n d d i s s o l ve s i n d iv i d u a l

h u n t er s ven tu r ed i n to a cave s ys tem i n wh at is now

boundaries.

S o u th wes te r n Fr a n c e. Jo u r n eyi n g d ee p i n t o its dark, wo m b -l i ke p a s sa g es th ey e ven tu a l l y a r r ived at a space

Like the work of other shamanic ar tis ts, Walters’

wh er e, by th e l i g h t o f a f e eb l e, g u tter i n g f l ame, they

p a i n t i n g s g ive f o r m t o a n u n s e e n wo r l d t h a t i s

b e g a n to p a i n t. T h e m o tiva ti o n f o r th es e works has

invisible to all but the most sensitive spirit. Her role

f o r ever d i s a p p ea r e d i n to th e m i s ts o f t i m e, but their

as an ar tist is not to re-present the visible, but to

lo ca ti o n s u g g es ts th a t th e a es th eti c f u n ctions that

capture the f leeting glimpses that she is given in

h ave co m e to i n f o r m a n d s u r r o u n d th e making of

visions and dreams of another reality; of the invisible

a r t h a d l i ttl e i n f l u en ce o n th ei r p r o d u cti o n. Instead

matrix that connects all living things. For these are

th ey s eem to h ave h a d a ver y d i f f er en t p u r pose and

not the Freudian dreams that dredg e the subconscious

in ten ti o n , em er g i n g f r o m th a t s p a ce b etween waking

for suppressed feelings, but those messeng ers from

a n d s l ee p i n g , d r ea m a n d r ea l i ty; th e o u tcome of a

beyond that pierce the por tals of slee p with their

m a g i ca l , s h a m a n i s ti c r i tu a l th a t r es u l ted i n the cave

prophetic insights.

wa l l s b ei n g cover ed wi th d a z z l i n g , i m a g es of hor ses, d eer, g i a n t oxen , a n d th e h u n ter s th em s el ves, in a

Ref lecting the ancient tradition of the Sacred Feminine,

v i s u a l r e-o r d er i n g o f th e u n ta m ed wo r l d o utside the

Wa l t e r s ’ p a i n t i n g s a r e s p a c e s o f nu r t u r e, b i r t h i n g

cave’s d a r k n es s.

pools in which her insights are embodied. T he figures of her deer, horses and human subjects emerging into

K a te Wa l ter s ’ p a i n ti n g s a r e a l s o co n cer n ed with the

pools of dee p red paint like dreams bringing to vivid

in ter a cti o n o f th e a n i m a l a n d h u m a n wo r l d s ; de picting

life the unconscious void of slee p. T heir features

in r aw a n d g r a p h i c i m m ed i a cy a r el a ti o n s h ip that is

delicately realised through dynamic lines and areas of

b o th i n ti m a te an d nu r tu r i n g. D ee r, h o r s es a nd female

subtle light to provide tantalizing glimpses of a reality

f i g u r e s a r e s h own co -ex i s ti n g i n a n a l m o s t primeval

that is both insubstantial and mysterious. Occasionally

s ta te o f mu tu a l , i n ter co n n ecte d h a r m o n y. In their

the figures are tethered by lines that f low out to the

ico n o g r a p hy o f nu r tu r e a n d l ov i n g g r a ce h uman and

picture edg es, umbilical cords of light suppor ting

a n i m a l b o d i e s m e r g e a n d c o m b i n e, a s t h e f e m a l e

these visions of tr uth as they are brought to bir th in

subjects of

t h e s e wo r k s t a ke o n a n d a d o p t t h e

the darkness of our unconscious, slee ping world. For

ch a r a cter o f th ei r a n i m a l g u i d es : th e wa tchfulness

an instant these g entle deer and horses are caught in

a n d tr u th o f th e d eer, th e p r o tecti o n a n d nur ture of

our reality, their vision of beauty and love allowing us

th e h o r s e. I n th i s n ew wo r l d , th er e i s n o se paration

to transcend the death focussed g aze with which we

between human and animal, only a porous tissue of

humans g aze upon the world.

Richard Davey. 2011

2

Whispering to the Silent Sky . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 47 x 37 cm

3

While Men Sleep . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 34 x 25 cm

4

We Are Inside Each Other . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 36 x 26 cm

5

Sharing a Body . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 35 x 51 cm

6

Speaking the Same Language . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 44 x 29 cm

7

Of Flesh and Stars . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 45 x 30 cm

8

Looking Out from his Being . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 45 x 30 cm

9

Becoming the Stillness of Animals . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 35 x 25 cm

10

Madonna of the Forest . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 33 x 25 cm

11

Eve Holding the World . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 22 x 23 cm

12

Sheltering Heart . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 30 x 41 cm

13

Learning All Thier Ways . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 19 x 17 cm Being Held (Above and Below) . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 18 x 18 cm 14

Not to be Cut Off . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 19 x 18 cm They are all Here . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 19 x 18 cm 15

The Turrets of the Impossible . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 51 x 32 cm

16

Saluting Venus . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 45 x 30 cm

17

Clothed in Blue . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 49 x 39 cm

18

God Knows About the Animals . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 55 x 66 cm

19

My Portable Homeland . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 51 x 72 cm

20

Singing me Through While I Sleep . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 51 x 72 cm

21

Legs of my Legs What do They See . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 67 x 53 cm

22

Body of my Body . watercolour, conte and gum arabic on gesso on paper . 69 x 53 cm

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all works 2010 - 2011

KATE WALTERS 2009

2008

2007

2006

2005 2004

2004 2003 2001 1999

EDUCATION AND TRAINING 1977/8 1978/81 1984/5 1996-00

Foundation course, Byam Shaw, London B.A. Hons Fine Art, Brighton Polytechnic PGCE Art and Design, Brighton Polytechnic Post-graduate Diploma in Fine Art. University College Falmouth

AWARDS, RESEARCH & CONFERENCES 2011

2008 2008

2009 2007

2006 2005

2004 2003

Pari Centre for New Learning, Siena: Art, Science & The Sacred Short-listed for The Jerwood Drawing Prize (2 works) Burton Sweet Prize, Black Swan Open, Somerset (Joint winner) Research trips to Venice Biennale, Rome, Documenta, Berlin and Frankfurt Recipient of second major award from Arts Council England, South West Research trips to Venice Biennale, Rome, Documenta, Berlin and Frankfurt Independent delegate at Artes Mundi International Conference in Wales Awarded travel bursary to Venice Biennale by Arts Council & Creative Skills Research trips to Venice Biennale, Rome, Documenta, Berlin and Frankfurt Recipient of first major award from Arts Council England, South West Short-listed for The Jerwood Drawing Prize

Salisbury Open Drawing.

Double Vision, Exchange Gallery, Penzance, (NSA), with Karen Lorenz The Plough Arts Centre Open Drawing, Devon Cornish Connection, the NSA at the RWA, Bristol Surface Gallery, Nottingham, Open 2 ‘Particles Particles’ The Women’s Art Show, Fairfields Arts Centre, Hampshire London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, Islington The Women’s Art Show, Fairfields Arts Centre, Hampshire London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, Islington Keighley Arts Factory, Yorkshire, with Susan Stark The Women’s Art Show, Fairfields Arts Centre, Hampshire London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, Islington Art Now Cornwall? Goldfish Contemporary Fine Art London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, Islington Sefton Open, Atkinson Gallery, Southport Tricycle Gallery, London, with Orly Orbach Newlyn Art Gallery, Drawing?

Sefton Open, Atkinson Gallery, Southport Royal West of England Academy Conflict & Resolution, Harbour House Gallery, Devon Old Town Mill, Lyme Regis, with Nick Evans Bridport Arts Centre, with Karen Lorenz.

RECENT SOLO EXHIBITIONS

EMPLOYMENT AND EXPERIENCE

2011 2010

2009

2008

2007 2006 2005 2004

2011 Art in Action, Oxfordshire, demonstrating to the public 2010 Drawing Research Network International conference, Brighton

House of Fairy Tales at Port Eliot Festival

Leading drawing workshops in Cornwall for adults

Part-time mentor with RIO (Real Ideas Organization) 2009 Art in Action, Oxfordshire, demonstrating to the public

Part-time mentor with RIO (Real Ideas Organization) 2008 Art in Action, Oxfordshire, demonstrating to the public

Exposure: six days in the Engine Room at the Exchange, Penzance 2004 – 09 Visiting artist at Cornwall College on Foundation Degree courses 1986 – 97 Teaching, Acting Head of Department, Environmental Education and Art

history in two secondary schools in Dorset and Somerset

Mysterious Tissue: Of Flesh and Stars, Millennium Ramp Wall, The Exchange, Penzance The Body Pours Out Prayers, Truro Cathedral Appledore Visual Arts Festival, Devon Surface Gallery, Nottingham First Breath, Last Breath, Waterloo Gallery, London Seeing the Shadow, Goldfish Fine Art, Penzance Approaching Rapture, Goldfish Fine Art Seeing with the Single Eye, Goldfish Fine Art, Penzance Phoenix Gallery, Brighton Transitions 5, Newlyn Art Gallery

RECENT JURIED EXHIBITIONS 2011 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London

Beasts Royal, Viktor Wynd Fine Art, London 2010 Ludlow Open, selected by Dr. Yvonne Crossley & David Roberts

House of Fairy Tales, Millenium, curated by Alice Herrick & Joseph Clarke,

including live drawing broadcast to the ICA, London

Exquisite Trove, curated by Alice Herrick & Hadrian Piggott, Newlyn Art 2009 Artsway Open 09, curated by Peter Bonnell, Sway, Hampshire

Visual Exhibition for Art of Ideas II, curated by Stephen Snoddy 2008 Jerwood Drawing Prize, curators included Anita Taylor and Emma Dexter

NSA Drawing Show, The Exchange, Penzance, selected by Kate Macfarlane

and Mary Doyle of The Drawing Room, London 2007 Images of the Divine, Orleans House, London 2006 The Discerning Eye, Mall Galleries, London

Margins, Sherborne Open, Sherborne House, Dorset

Cupola Gallery [Sheffield] Open Exhibition 2006 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London 2005 NSA Critic’s Choice, selected by Prof. Norbert Lynton 2005 Artsway Open 05, curated by Peter Bonnell, Sway, Hampshire 2004 Critic’s Choice, selected show by John Russell Taylor, Newlyn Art Gallery 2003 Art Works in Mental Health, RCA 2003 and touring

Jerwood Drawing Prize, curators included Anita Taylor and Emma Dexter 2003 Art, Age and Gender; Foundation for Women’s Art, touring show SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2011

2010

Totem Body, The Crypt Gallery, St. Pancras’ Church, London PRINT! The Exchange Gallery, Penzance Landscape of Change, London London Art Fair, Business Design Centre, Islington Blasphemous, Museum of Contemporary Art, Dublin Winter Exhibition, Millenium Centrespace Gallery, Bristol, with John Keys

PUBLICATIONS, ESSAYS & REVIEWS

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Mysterious Tissue: Of Flesh and Stars catalogue, Richard Davey, Millennium Tate Guide Totem Body catalogue, Jurgen Werner Kremer Ludlow Open catalogue Force of Nature’ catalogue Art in Action catalogue Visual catalogue, Arts & Business Art in Action catalogue Becoming Sanguine, essay on Kate’s work by Professor Penny Florence Revolver Seeing the Shadow catalogue, Goldfish Jerwood Drawing Prize catalogue 2003 What do you feel?, Institute of International Visual Arts and A Space Approaching Rapture catalogue, Rupert Loydell, Fine Art Art in Action catalogue Galleries, illustrated review by Laura Gascoigne Proof, Journal Extract and illustrated review by Stephen Lee Move, fully illustrated catalogue, Goldfish at Vyner Street, Illustrated feature in Sussex Life Margins catalogue, Sherborne House Cover page of a-n magazine Discerning Eye catalogue Seeing with the Single Eye, catalogue, Partou Zia, Goldfish Fine Art Art Works in Mental Health catalogue Art, Age & Gender, Foundation for Women’s Art show catalogue

Drawings and paintings are in private collections in the U.K., Australia and Europe and the Irish Museum of Contemporary Art. Full elected member of Newlyn Society of Artists (NSA)

Published by Millennium to coincide with the exhibition ‘Mysterious Tissue : Of Flesh and Stars’ by Kate Walters All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers Portrait detail on page 24 by Nik Strangelove (www.studiostrangelove.co.uk) Printed by Active Colour (www.activecolour.co.uk) ISBN 978-1-905772-49-0

Ah, not to be cut off, not through the slightest partition shut out from the law of the stars.

The inner - what is it? if not intensified sky, hurled through with birds and deep with the winds of homecoming.

Rainer Maria Rilke

MILLENNIUM Str eet-an-Pol St. Ives Cornwall 01736 793121 m a i l @ m i l l e n n i u m g a l l e r y. c o . u k w w w . m i l l e n n i u m g a l l e r y. c o . u k