If a scene begins with someone staring contemplatively out the window, it more than likely snaps to them being scolded for not paying attention. A jolt back to reality! Yet there’s something magical and vital in the act of being so deep in thought, you get lost in space.
Artist Kat Macleod believes this too. ‘In an attempt to justify the amount of time spent gazing out the window into the garden, lost in thought, I have discovered that when I’m daydreaming, new ideas appear and develop. They thrive without the stifling restrictions, doubts and the mundane reality of planning and executing them in the real world,’ explains the Melbourne-based creative.
Her new exhibition, Reverist, opens tonight at The Jacky Winter Group’s Lamington Drive. Not only born from the creative space afforded by reverie (definition: ‘a state of being pleasantly lost in one’s thoughts’), her large-scale drawings actually explore the way the human body behaves in a state of deep thought and contemplation – from the gentle gestures to absent-minded interactions that occur throughout this seemingly still and private process. ‘Our eyes also play an intriguing role,’ adds Kat. ‘Where does our gaze fall when we are in a state of reverie?’
In her signature style, Kat has used paper, paint, ink, pencil, hand-stitched fabric, and hand-embroidered Japanese Miyuki glass beads to create this body of work. She is also releasing a new range of limited-edition prints on linen, with hand finishes.
Since our last feature, the self-confessed home-body and night owl has relished setting up her little home studio. She has created Reverist in between gazing out that beautiful big window that overlooks her garden, and then often again after putting her three little boys to bed. ‘I find the challenges of being a creative are surprisingly similar to the challenges that come with being a parent: dealing with time management, self-doubt, tiny humans, love, discipline… all while revealing your true self to a bigger community,’ she tells. ‘I try my best to keep my head down and enjoy the simple things and just keep doing and appreciating what I enjoy, which is hanging out with my family and friends and drawing’.
Aside from personal art projects, Kat has also been continuing her award-winning design work, for selected clients including Melbourne Central and architects Kennedy Nolan. ‘I love how big and broad Melbourne is,’ says Kat. ‘We live with bushland and parks all around us, but it’s still so close to get into the city for my design projects, visit the NGV, pick up materials from my favourite art shops or stop by Lamington Drive.’ Stop by this Collingwood gallery to witness this stunning body of work in real life, from this evening onwards!
Reverist by Kat Macleod
September 19th to October 12th
Opening night, Wednesday, September 18th, 6-9pm
Lamington Drive
52 Budd Street
Collingwood, Victoria
