.art       Wild Detritus

Kathleen’s work is focused on the assemblage of altered found objects, plants, rust, maps, and ephemera. Her process is to create a narrative of place with memories and dreams intertwined. Vintage photos, repurposed silk and cotton provide the surface and palette for images and impressions; childhood memories are stirred, some lost and forgotten, some emerging as found. Alternative photo processes record, interpret, and enhance the family archives.

Rust holds a vital space in her collections and palettes; oxidation, deterioration, transformation, and corrosion, chronicled by time and tempest. Objects once robust soften, tendered by wind, waves, and indifference. Symbols of resilience beyond pain.

Kathleen imagines herself an urban archeologist/archivist, collecting artifacts, evidence, and the detritus humanity leaves behind. Arranged, organized, displayed, printed and photographed, visually exploring their past and provenance. She sees deeply into their intrinsic beauty and the messages they hold. This work has become a visual narrative, exploring layers of memories, mysteries, and dreams.

Though her objects are “found,” Kathleen always adds to, alters, changes and distorts them in various ways; leaving them alone to naturally age over years, then paint, distress, oxidize, collage, wax, polish, wrap. 

Kathleen is currently living and working in southwest New Mexico and is represented by Light Art Space in Silver City.

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