Blue Mountains Artists Company: Member Profile

Kathryn Wilkinson

Textiles & Mixed Media
Phone: 4788 1510
Fax: 47881510
PO Box 476, Katoomba
http://www.kathwilkinson.com

ABOUT THE ARTIST
I work across a wide variety of embroidery techniques from hand and machine embroidery styles, appliqu, printing and dyeing to surface embellishment, basketry and felting in both 2D and 3D forms. The use of colour and design and different methods of processing designs are an integral part of my work practice. My work is largely inspired by the natural environment but I also love doing figurative pieces. Exploring techniques and skills based in traditional practices and using them to realise their potential in contemporary embroidery is a passion.

I am currently working on a Master of Fine Art, part time, through Newcastle University, NSW, Australia which I will finish in 2006. The Masters exhibition will be primarily figurative sculptures using mostly natural fibres and basketry techniques but the stitch in its various guises is of primary importance.

My formal qualifications include; B.A., Deakin University, Victoria, 1998 with a Major in Literary Studies and other Units taken in Childrens Literature, Communications and Cultural Studies.; Dip. Teach with Distinction, University of Technology, Sydney, 1991; Higher Certificate in Fashion Technology, East Sydney Technical College 1988: Fashion Technology Certificate, Newcastle Technical College, NSW 1986 ; and various Art, Textile, and Information Technology Courses.

My initial interest was in Fashion and I worked as a teacher of Fashion for NSW TAFE for 10 years. I currently work part time with NSW Department of Education, mainly in the area of Textiles and Design and teach at the Embroiderers Guild of NSW as well as conduct free lance workshops for both adults and children. Other means of earning a living in the arts and crafts have included selling through a craft co-operative, galleries and gift shops, commissions, market stalls, Craft Shows, dressmaking and exhibiting Artworks at various galleries locally, nationally and internationally.

I started exhibiting my work in 1995, the first pieces being a mixed media art quilt and an art doll built on a skeletal armature. My work has gone through many changes and experiments with different media since then. I have exhibited wearable art in London, New Zealand and Australia, including Powerhouse International Lace for Fashion Awards in 2000, Sydney; Textile wall pieces in Japan, New Zealand and Australia and won the open section of Art in the Blue Mountains 2000 with a sculpture based on basketry techniques. I also won first prize in The Margaret Oppen Memorial Prize in 2000 and in 2002 with framed works based on life drawings interpreted in textiles using various media. I have been involved in over 70 exhibitions since 1995.