Kimono Stories

THIS EXHIBITION IS NOW CLOSED

We are delighted to announce a solo exhibition of work by Dumfries & Galloway based artist Kate Bentley RI, which will be held in our upstairs ‘Blue Room’ this Autumn.

‘Kimono Stories’ will be open from 30th September to 28th October, and will run consecutively alongside our mixed group exhibition ‘Nature’s Palette’.

‘Kimono Stories’ is a body of work, centred around the traditional Kimono, which are works of art in their own right. Kimono’s are used to express stories of family and personal identity, often symbolic and autobiographical. Kate has used this vehicle to portray her own layers of narrative and hidden personal stories whilst her interest in pattern and texture is evident.

Kate is an award-winning professional painter from the Lake District. In 2021 she relocated and is now based on the Solway Coast in Southwest Scotland.

Kate originally trained as a sculptor and Theatre Designer but by 1999 she evolved into a full-time professional painter.

Kate’s location and landscape hugely influences her subject matter and historically is a ‘painter of life,’ using her en-plein air sessions and life drawing to feed her narrative paintings.

‘These narrative works are developed from her love of the human form, pattern, chiaroscuro and of course theatricality! They are initiated in the studio from mark making, working over studies and old work and a huge amount of experimentation.

Themes emerge and the narrative becomes apparent, often stemmed from life experiences, past and present.’

She is a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour and the Society of Women Artists, and has won multiple awards throughout her career. She exhibits in prestigious galleries across the country, with paintings held in private and public collections.

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