KATE KNIGHT
Contemporary Artist
1978, UK
Historically, craft and tradition have played a vital role in establishing the feminine psyche, and it is these motifs that inspire my practice.
The work draws upon the hidden and silent self, whilst simultaneously operating in concealment and disguise. Secret gestures invite a participation into painted labyrinths of waxen skinned hushes and fossilised bites. Freshly indulgent fantasy is underpinned by a repetition and ritual, reminiscent of a childhood experience.
"And so... at night, I would pick and peel at my pink wallpapered bedroom. The act was thrillingly rebellious. I would delight over flayed paper sheaths, compelled; like the picking of scabs. In daylight, the felt tips would come out, because in my child body, I thought I could camouflage what I had vandalised with my attempts to make good. "
Like the de-wallpapering, the work is a portrait of silent rebellion, questioning what is sacred, whilst seeking to enchant the disenchanted.
Dr Maria Walsh said of my work at Flowers ‘Artist of the Day’, 2010, “Knight’s work is like a feminine deconstruction of Francis Bacon, it isn’t just painting, it’s installation”.
Knight graduated with an MA (distinction) fine art from City and Guilds of London Art School in 2021, as well as, being awarded the Eversheds Painting Prize upon the BA (Hons) from Chelsea School of Art and Design in 2005.
Most notably her work was selected for Artist of the Day, at Flowers Central, Cork Street, London, as well as, selected the runner up for the Marmite Prize for Painting 2010. She was selected by Rebecca Wilson for the ‘Burning Bright’ Emerging Artists from Saatchi Online, 2012, Hyatt, London. Recently Knight was selected for The ING Discerning Eye 2020 and Delta Gamma @ Saatchi curated by Zavier Ellis for The Contemporary Art Academy 2022.
Please see CV for further information.