PATTERNS WITHIN

EXHIBITION TITLE:
PATTERNS WITHIN

2022
ART GALLERY OF ALGOMA
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO
OCTOBER 20TH 2022 - JANURARY 14TH 2023

The Algoma Region is well known for its natural beauty. It has been an inspiration for generations of artists. The famous Group of Seven painted this area for many years and made the name of Algoma very prominent in Canadian art history. This exhibition is a great example that the wilderness and pristine nature of the area is still inspiring young and emerging artists.

Kathleen Murray is a young artist born and raised in the Toronto area. Her family ties were bringing her to Algoma throughout her childhood. The impact of these visits made her realize the difference between spending time surrounded by wildlife, untouched nature and city life. The contrast was so great and important to her that it continues to influence her art practice. “In the absence of nature in the city I felt it was misplaced and far off. Today I am fortunate to be able to live closer to an abundance of wildlife. But when I reflect on my past, it was the environment I grew up in and the exposure I had to wildlife that shaped who I am today and my appreciation for nonhuman nature.”

Gallery 2, Art Gallery of Algoma, October 20th 2022

NEW WORK ON DISPLAY

"Patterns Within", 30" x 40", ink and gesso on illustration board, 2022

2020
MASTER OF FINE ARTS THESIS EXHIBITION
(SPECIALIZING IN PAINTING)

FAB GALLERY
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON
6 - 31 OCTOBER 2020

"Over The Years", 32" x 40", Digital Print Photo Collage , 2010-2020
Right: Artist Statement

SYNOPSIS - ARTIST STATEMENT

The natural world found in Algoma inspired this body of work. Currently at the FAB Gallery in Edmonton Alberta, this exhibit displays my thesis research for my Master of Fine Arts Degree. My intent is to spark a conversation about how perspective influences an individual. I believe looking closer at our personal human nature is vital in this current time, most often named the Anthropocene. I believe the way we understand and translate nature is mediated through the genetic and cultural circumstances particular to each individual. Through studying environmental philosophy, it is this internal mediation that simplifies nature in a way that gives us comfort. This adaptation helps us to navigate environments based on what matters most to our genetic survival. This internalized intervention is the reason why I titled my thesis exhibition, Patterns Within.

This work reflects my personal connection to this natural world. I believe we live by the environments we occupy. The wave-like patterns symbolize the ambiguous and mysterious nature of this mediation involved with picturing the land. Each wave-like pattern came from an original image that was created by warping and overlapping lines on Photoshop. The piece titled “Initial Metamorphosis” demonstrates where all of the paintings began; an underlying pattern applied with gesso on wood board. From this stage, I experimented and worked with either the wood surface or painted pattern to picture this natural world. The wood board is normally concealed by acrylic paint during the painting process. Here, the exposed wood board acts as a metaphor for nature. This addition enhances the wave-like patterns. Low relief wood carving and pyrography wood burning are two new skills I have blended with painting in this exhibition.