Katherine Renton studied Fine Art at Newcastle University from 1989-1993, and is an artist who has always lived on the Northumberland coast. In her talk she will explore the themes and ideas that run through her oil paintings, watercolours and drawings, starting with examples of work produced in her first year as a student, in particular an articulated sculpture of a flamingo.
Her recent work explores the theme of man-made defensive structures that edge our coastline: the harbour walls, breakwaters, and concrete tank traps and pillboxes from World War II. Despite the serious nature of this subject matter – which represents the historic and geographical significance of Northumberland – there is often a more playful element to her work. She references her own childhood, and time spent with her two children, in developing her work: the tank traps were erected to resist Nazi invasion, but now serve as tables for picnics, or as windbreaks, or playground apparatus. She is currently working on a series depicting Northumbrian castles – not the famous Bamburgh or Dunstanburgh Castles – but the sandcastles constructed on her local beach at Alnmouth.
For replies for the talk josephinecousin@googlemail.com
The talk will take place on Tuesday 29th January 2019, 7.00-9.00pm, nibbles at 6.30, Seminar Room Hatton Gallery
