CATHERINE WHITTING
ARTIST INTERVIEW curiousartbar.com
ARTIST PROFILE
FOR THE LOVE OF ART
ARTIST INTERVIEW
CATHERINE WHITTING "As an art enthusiast and head curator for Curious Art Bar, one of my greatest rewards is working with immeasurably talented and passionate artists. It's always entertaining and often compelling, to understand a little about their personal journey and what sits behind the creation of their works. It was no surprise to me that 'colour' is everywhere in Catherine Whittings personal world. Barb H
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CATHERINE WHITTING
ARTIST INTERVIEW
CATHERINE WHITTING
GLACIAL DRIFT heavy tactile paint and translucent watercolour
ARTIST INTERVIEW
CORAL SORBET acrylic and watercolour
CATHERINE WHITTING
'IN HER WORDS'
How would you describe an ‘artist’ to a child? "An artist is someone who looks at the world and sees amazing and interesting things in it. An artist then creates something wonderful that they enjoy making to tell others there story."
Is your studio pristine or ordered choas? "My studio is organised in colour coordinated rows when Im not in it …. and a flurry of jazz, wine n design when I am in the midst of a creation!"
How important are your art titles to you?
"Titles are inseparable from my art. They are part of the art making process. These linguistic choices direct the viewer into the work and navigate their understanding of it in a specific direction. Words unpack my artworks."
Do you have a favourite ‘art’ word and why? "Juxtaposition - any time unlike things bump up against each other, you can describe it as a juxtaposition. The Juxtaposition of two contrasting items is often done deliberately in writing, music, or art — in order to highlight their differences. Mary Brown who taught me art and design for the HSC, made me smile from ear to ear with happiness every time she said “ The Juxtaposition of ….”
Everybody has a great ‘App’ idea. What’s yours?
"One that enables you to source rare, emerging, new or innovative art and design materials in any location globally with the click of a button! We are working on that!"
How would you describe ‘blue’ to someone who is blind?
" Blue is an immersion into the depths of the sea. I would take them scuba diving and ask them to imagine the enveloping water around them."
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
A 20 year old young woman, who stood in front of Teal Candy and said to her mother, “this artwork makes me feel like a better person, the dripping teal colour is incredible. I’m exploding with happiness looking at it. “ Her parents then commissioned me to make an abstract artwork filled with memories and tactile moments of her daughters child hood for her 21st birthday.
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? "I’m usually listening to an audio book, visually imagining the scenes in a story and the visual imagery of the characters, making pictures in my head."
ARTIST INTERVIEW
'IN HER WORDS'
What work of art do you wish you owned?
"Primavera - a large panel painting in tempera paint by the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli made in the late 1470s or early 1480s."
What would you do to get it : ) ?
"It hangs in the Sistine Chapel – so I’ll leave that in its sacred space. I have actually completed an appropriation study during my Bachelor of Visual Arts at Sydney College of the Arts of the central character Flora (or Venus), who presides over orange grove (a Medici symbol). She is the mythical classical embodiment of earthly and divine love. Like the flower-gatherer in the artwork, she returns the viewer's gaze. The trees behind her form a broken arch to draw the eye. It was the curvaceous belly and folds of red velvet fabric that had me at first sight.- This life size oil painting has hung in my studio as my muse for 20 years!"
What would your autobiography be called? "I don’t know how she does it."
What was the last gift you gave someone?
"A terrarium glass sculptural plant, I love gifts that live and grow with their owners and continue the making process!"
What would the perfect murder weapon be? And why? "Not the perfect murder weapon but the most lethal contemporary weapon….Apathy it kills creativity."
Do you have an art world pet peeve? "That’s NOT art. Anyone can do THAT"
Tea or coffee?
"Coffee – with soy and honey."
What would you like to be doing at the moment you pass away? "Hugging grandchildren and painting with them."
Has any book every shaped the way you think or behave? "Art and design books – too many …"
What art do you most identify with? "Gustav Klimt – his use of symbolism, exploration of the human psyche in rich lavish line, pattern, colour, texture is captivating. He fuses decoration with abstraction and I get lost in the abstract detail within the figurative elements of his work …. and of course the paradox of art and decoration and his indulgent use of gold leaf!"
The best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? "Make sure that when you go to work you are doing something you love everyday. Life is not about the pay scale it's about being happy each day and enjoying what you do . Mum and Dad."
CATHERINE WHITTING
WINTON PONDS layered papers, watercolour and gold leaf
UPCOMING ART EXHIBITION AND EVENT Join Kate St James, Catherine Whitting and Monique Sartor on Saturday 20/July/2019 from 4pm - 6pm to launch mɪˈandərɪŋ - An afternoon of original and limited edition artworks, fine art photography and handmade jewelery, home wares and apparel as you meander through Gang Gang Art Gallery on Main Street Lithgow enjoying live performance, wine & canapes. Specialist fine art, interior design and photographic interactive workshops and events will be held each weekend for art lovers and the local community. Hosted by Barbara Hamilton from the Curious Art Bar with Kate St James, Catherine Whitting & Monique Sartor. Gang Gang Gallery Open Hours http://gggallery.com.au/ The exhibition will be open weekly from 19 June - 5th August Friday – Sunday 10am – 4pm Monday 10am – 3pm Other hours by appointment