Exploring identity and rituals in domestic spaces: The artistry of Kate Williams-Parry
Born and raised in Dubai before relocating to the vibrant art scene of London, Kate opens up to BANG about her origins, inspirations, current work and what the future looks like to her.
Kate Kate's artistic journey can be described as a rich tapestry of influences and experiences. Born and raised in Dubai before relocating to the vibrant art scene of London, Kate opens up to BANG about her origins, inspirations, current work and what the future looks like to her.
Her artistic journey is guided by a sense of purpose and passion. "I've always known I wanted to be in visual arts specifically," she emphasizes. "Throughout university, I explored everything, but I always knew visual arts was my path."
For Kate, art is more than just a form of expression; it is a vehicle for introspection and connection. "I want to walk alongside and help others with their creativity," she explains. "Honestly, I only recognized myself as an artist in the last year. Only then did I feel really competent in my work or like I could actually talk about it or show it, but that's how I've always looked at it."
The theme of domesticity has been a recurring motif in Kate's artistic exploration. "In my art, I've always explored the domestic in some way or form and how people fit into that," she notes. "Originally, two or three years ago, I was examining how women fit into rituals - whether religious or domestic."
Her recent work delves deeper into the complexities of identity within domestic spaces, particularly within the context of queer identity. "Now, I'm focusing more on the idea of how identity exists in a domestic space and what we consider domestic spaces. Also, queer identity and how we relate to our origins, and how we have formed our own domestic spaces, which sometimes counteract against the expectations in these spaces. That's where I'm starting and where I am now."
Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists, Kate's work stems from traditional as well as unconventional sources of artistic expression. "Paul Thek is a big influence, introduced to me during my first year of university. Aubrey Beardsley is also significant; his illustrations were a big part of my pre-university artistic exploration," she shares. "Shana Moulton is another one. She mainly does film, but in really cool, bright, vibrant colours”.
Looking ahead, Kate remains optimistic about her artistic journey – including future projects involving crocheting –, driven by a deep-seated love for the craft.
She points out one of her most recent pieces, an installation consisting of crocheted red and white frames she has placed and documented in Hampstead Heath Park - an area she deems to have a long queer history.
“I want to explore that history in relation to the landscape using the frames to create a sense of otherness or something feeling out of place yet still blending in or attempting to”, Kate explains.
“I’m planning on making shelter-like structures through crochet but am also interested in making other domestic objects, such as an oven. I’m still learning with myself why I’m drawn to making things in this way but I think possibly I have a lot of enjoyment with textile materials”, she ponders.
About the mode of craft, she says: “But it’s sad that [crocheting] is still not respected in the fine art world”.
"When it comes to my art, I'm always happy knowing I'll never have nothing to do because I'll always be making art," Kate reflects.
"It would be nice if people enjoyed looking at it, if I could have it exhibited in big galleries or was sold well, but we don’t know about the future, so, really, I have to do it for myself in a way to keep me going. I'm just happy creating."
