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KATE WILSON
Works in Pawtucket, RI
Born in 1973 in Salem, MA
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ARTIST STATEMENT
My abstract paintings and sculptures explore the relationship between perception and imagination. Created as an antidote to stress, I use visually calming forms and optical illusions to imbue a sense of wonder. I paint abstract, hard-edge shapes on flat color fields that play with visual perception. In my upcycled sculptures, I transform mass-produced consumer goods into organic forms that float at the ceiling, cascade down the wall, and glow in the dark. These series evolved from my past work: high-tone paintings, luminous ink paintings, and fractal-like photographic designs. I often place tiny hidden treasures into my art that range from large-scale to miniature.
Through my work, I create opportunities that invite tuning into the present moment and letting everything else disappear as curiosity takes over because everyone benefits when they experience a dopamine release. This feel-good chemical has the power to shift perspective and positively impact the world.
To be an artist is to translate raw emotion into form. Art awakens curiosity. Art is crucial because it expands our minds, as it unifies us in wonder.
BIOGRAPHY
Kate Wilson (b. 1973, Salem, MA, USA) explores the power of perception and imagination. Her work utilizes hard-edge abstract painting and sculpture created from mass-produced consumer goods to investigate the healing effects of curiosity on the human psyche. Wilson trained at RISD and Skidmore College and has built her artistic practice from formal teachings, continued self-education, and the psychology of color. Her former teaching and graphic design careers are foundational for her work. The artist has participated in exhibitions at the Berkshire Art Museum, Newport Art Museum, Rhode Island; Bristol Art Museum, Rhode Island; Attleboro Arts Museum, Massachusetts; Jamestown Arts Center, Rhode Island; University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island; National Association of Women Artists, New York; Providence Art Club, Rhode Island; Atelier Newport, Rhode Island; Candida Clayton Gallery, Sprout Gallery, Rhode Island; Art League Rhode Island, Rhode Island; Rhode Island; Block Island Airport, Rhode Island; Providence Center for Photographic Arts, Rhode Island, Pawtucket Arts Collaborative, Rhode Island; among others. In 2019, the Bristol Art Museum selected Wilson as one of twelve "regional abstract artists to watch." In 2018, Rhode Island Council for the Arts selected her for a solo exhibition at the Block Island Airport Gallery in Rhode Island. Bristol Art Museum. Her Hope For The Planet aerial sculpture was invited to be installed in the Rhode Island State House, where visitors could add their wish for the planet to the thousands of wishes already present. Her art is in private collections worldwide, including a 12 x 8-foot commission in the New England Institute of Technology residence hall and hotels along the Florida coast. Wilson currently lives and works in Rhode Island.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
2011—2014 CE Certificate of Graphic Design, RISD, Providence, RI
1991—1995 BS in Education & Liberal Studies, Concentration in Studio Art, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
1990 Pre-College Summer Program, RISD, Providence, RI
AWARDS
2022 Third Place, Layer on Layer - Art League of Rhode Island National Juried Exhibition, Pawtucket, RI
Second Place, SPACE - The Art League of Rhode Island National Juried Exhibition, Pawtucket, RI
2021 Grant Recipient, Rhode Island State Council For The Arts
2020 Honorable Mention, Gallery Night Juried Exhibition, Providence, RI
Grant Recipient, Rhode Island State Council For The Arts
2019 Selected Artist, Providence Gallery Night, Publicity Collateral
Featured Artist, Rhode Island Monthly - Candita Clayton Gallery
2018 Featured Artist, Rhode Island Home Show, Providence, RI
Honorable Mention, Through the Lens International Juried Exhibition - Art League Rhode Island, Providence, RI
2017 Honorable Mention, Boats, Surf, & Beaches International Juried Exhibition - Art League Rhode Island, Providence, RI
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021 Finger Painting With Oils - Sprout Gallery, Providence, RI
2018 Beauty In The Abstract - Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Airport Gallery, Block Island, RI
Beauty in Simplicity - Sprout Gallery Warren, Inaugural Artist, Warren, RI
Natural Serenity - Candita Clayton Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
2017 Twisting Reality - Sprout Gallery, Providence, RI
THREE-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2023 Reflections, Providence Art Club, Providence, RI
2019 Blossom, Candita Clayton Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
2018 Vestiges, Atelier Newport, Newport RI
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023 Providence Art Club Members Exhibition, Providence, RI
Female - Juried Exhibition - Berkshire Art Museum, North Adams, MA
Dancing With Orange - Juried Exhibition - University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI
National Association of Women Artists 134th Exhibition, New York, New York
2022 Layer on Layer - National Juried Exhibition - Art League Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI
S=P=A=C=E - National Juried Exhibition - Art League Rhode Island, Pawtucket, RI
29th Annual Wet Paint Auction - Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI
Summer Group Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, New London, NH
Fall Group Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, New London, NH
2021 Summer Group Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, New London, NH
Fall Group Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, New London, NH
Providence Art Club National Open Juried Exhibition - Providence, RI
Artbox.Project World 1.0 - Artbox Gallery, Zürich, Switzerland
2020 Gallery Night Providence Kick-Off National Juried Exhibition - Sprout Gallery, Providence, RI
Member Exhibition - Bristol Art Museum, Bristol, RI
Really Big Group Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
2019 The Abstract - 12 Regional Abstract Artists - Bristol Art Museum, Bristol, RI
Ready For Spring Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
La Famiglia - Atelier Newport, Newport, RI
2018 Hearths & Hideaways - Atelier Newport, Newport RI
A Pairing - Atelier Newport, Newport RI
Really Big Group Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
Anniversary Group Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
Summer Show - Candita Clayton Gallery, Pawtucket, RI
Earth Day Tribute - Sprout Gallery, Providence, RI
Flower Show - Attleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro, MA
Jamestown Arts Center Member Exhibition, Jamestown, RI
Art League Rhode Island Associated Members Exhibition, Warwick, RI
2017 Through the Lens International Juried Exhibition - Art League Rhode Island, Providence, RI
Attleboro Arts Museum Member Exhibition, Attleboro, MA
Jamestown Arts Center Member Exhibition, Jamestown, RI
Photography Guild - Newport Museum, Newport, RI
Crosswinds - Atelier Newport, Newport, RI
Natural Wonders - Sprout Gallery, Providence, RI
Coastal Curiosities - Sprout Gallery, Providence, RI
Member Exhibition - Providence Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Member Exhibition - Mill Gallery, Providence, RI
Associated Members Exhibition- Art League Rhode Island, Providence, RI
Boats, Surf, and Beaches International Juried Exhibition - Art League Rhode Island, Providence, RI
2016 Transforming Reality - Sprout Gallery, Providence, RI
INSTALLATIONS
I have created commissions for private collections across the US in the following mediums: paint, ink on panels, and limited editioned photographic designs dye-sublimated onto aluminum.
2023 Office of Singulart, Paris, France
2022 682 guest rooms at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, FL
8-foot installation in the Reception Area of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, FL
Two installations at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island, FL
2019 Upton Residencies, large-format art for all four floors at the elevators, inspired by the original laundromat
on the property, Providence, RI
2018 New England Institute of Technology, 12-foot triptych in the residential building, East Greenwich, RI
TALKS & INTERVIEWS
2022 Change-maker Interview: Artist Kate Wilson's Global Resonance For Hope & Love
In The Studio Interview, Leesburg Center For The Arts, Leesburg, FL
2021 Featured Artist, Providence Gallery Night, Valley Arts District Walking Tour, Providence, RI
2018 Gallery Night Celebrity Tour Guide, Providence, RI
Panel Discussion with Candita Clayton: Curating & Commissioning Fine Art, Boston Design Center, Boston, MA
2017 Gallery Night Celebrity Tour Guide, Providence, RI
Artistic Process, PVDFest & Gallery Night Maker Tour, Providence, RI
2014 Artistic Process, RISD, Providence, RI
PUBLICATIONS
Artscope, July/August 2023, A Spiritual Evolution: NAWA Expands Its Message To The Berkshires
Studio Visit Book, Volume 1, Summer 2023 Rising Women in the Arts
Wescover, June 2022 Four Modern Creators
Boston Voyager Magazine, December 2018 Fine Art
Providence Monthly, August 2017 Beauty In Simplicity
The Bay, August 2017 Finding Beauty In Simplicity
AFFILIATIONS
Providence Art Club, Exhibiting Member, Membership Committee
Art League RI, Elected Artist
Jamestown Art Center, Affiliated Artist
National Association of Women Artists, Signature Member
National Association of Women Artists, Massachusetts Chapter
American Women Artists
Netvrrk
Americans for the Arts
Artists Rights Society
RISD Museum
Newport Art Museum
Bristol Art Museum
Beaver Country Day School, Alumna
Skidmore, Alumna
* Kate's creative energy is brought to you in part by her razor scooter and fairy wings.
I love exploring with my family when I am not in my studio!
