From the Archive: Kate Knight interview
Posted on March 22, 2016
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Here at Curious Duke Gallery, we dived deep into our archive to see what we could find on Kate Knight. With her solo show taking London by storm, we know we have to keep you fed with Knight’s luscious purples and modern baroque collection!
This gem is from 6th September 2013, look how far we’ve all come since then!
September calls our artist of the month Kate Knight to the hot seat, to reveal all about her influences and artistic practice, and 19th Century Paris.
Discipline: Painter
Age: 35
Where do you live: Kent
Where did you study: Chelsea College of Art and Design
Life ambition: To keep on Painting until I run out of steam
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1. Who, or what is the greatest influence on your life and art?
Life experience is probably at the top of that list, my work is greatly influenced by the people I meet and places I go. My Mum and Dad bought me my first watercolour box set when I was a toddler; I used to paint for hours at the kitchen table. I first fell in love with painting when I was 19/20 on my first ever trip to a gallery, The National Gallery. I was a dancer you see, from the age of 4-20 and I forgot I really loved to paint. My first great love was also a huge influence on my art but I can’t divulge who that was...
2. Who is your favourite artist at the moment?
I don’t have fleeting fancies, but I am always influenced by Francis Bacon, Louise Bourgeois, Paula Rego, Fra Angelico, Felicien Rops, Goya, and most medieval paintings; in fact their beauty can bring me to tears. Matthew Burrows exhibition blew me away at Alexia Goethe Gallery, sumptuous, dangerous and erotic! Lush!!!
3. Describe a typical day in the studio in no more than 5 words.
Highs, Lows, physical, perplexing, committed.
4. Spontaneity or planning?
Planning with a huge dose of risk.
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5. What do you do in the event of a creative block?
I can honestly say I’ve never had one, yet...
6. Do you have a favourite piece of your own work?
There is a very exciting work in the making at the moment, but it’s under wraps. I’m always fondest of my latest work because I try my best to improve upon the last.
7. What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Time and taking those risks without fear, but that’s part of the game I guess.
8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Bloody hell, urm... Painting for sure, on a bigger scale size, and space wise. An ultimate solo show of all my works in installation, that’s the current goal.
9. Please recommend one piece of essential reading.
Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber, gutted it's only one. Sorry CDG gotta suggest a few more.
Edgar Allan Poe
Marine Lover, Letters to Friedrich Nietzsche by Luce Irigaray
Lover’s Discourse by Roland Barthes and Mythologies
10. If you could time travel to one era or event, when would you choose?
I would have loved to be part of the whole Parisian scene when the industrialisation of the 19th Century was commencing, hanging out with Flaubert, Manet, Baudelaire, Rops and Poe to name a few. Exciting times I’m sure!
11. Tea or Coffee?
Coffee, it’s my second addiction.
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12. Who would be your dream dinner guest?
Francis Bacon, I mean come on... Champagne and Lobster WITH Bacon!!!
13. What super power would you have for a day?
Flight of course!
14. What are you listening to at the moment?
Buena Vista Social Club
The Roots ‘The Seed (2.0)’ Featuring Cody ChesnuTT
It just changed tracks.
Thank you Kate!
You can see Kate Knight’s solo show These Fragile Things until this Saturday at 4pm! See you soon.
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Written by Curious Duke Gallery blogger Sinéad Loftus.
Lover of all art and fluffy cats.