I first met Kate in 2007, when she took photos and drew a charcoal picture of me in preparation for her painting my portrait for the “Thalidomide@50” exhibition, first shown at London City Hall in autumn 2008.
Working with Kate, whether sitting for her at her studio in south London or having her take photos of me in central London, was a total pleasure. I had never sat for an artist before, but found the experience both interesting and, despite the need to sit as still as possible, enjoyable.
When I look at Kate’s portrait of me, I recognise myself and like myself, too. I like the thought that that person in the picture is how other people see me.
When I look at Kate’s “Thalidomide@50” collection, I feel she has captured us not as "disabled people", but as "people - who happen to be disabled". It’s our faces, not our “flippers”, that I feel the observer’s eye is drawn to. Our body shapes may be unusual, our daily lives may be a struggle, but what comes through is not bitterness, but a quiet dignity and shared humanity.
Fred Dove
Kathryn you are quite clearly a gifted and talented artist and I feel honoured to be painted by you. I was blown away not only by your professionalism but your pleasant down to earth personality that put me at ease to sit for you.
Gloria Elliott
The Thalidomide @ 50 exhibition is outstanding but bittersweet, I have a relative who is a thalidomide survivor, thank you for bringing this issue into the fore in such a elegant and poignant way.
I brought my year 10 GCSE Art class to see this exhibition 'Thalidomide at 50', most of them hadn't even heard of the issue. What was touching was that the students noticed the quality of the painting and interesting characters as oppose to the disabilities depicted. Well done Kathryn, I wait in anticipation for your future exhibitions..!!!!
Gloria Elliott
I wasn't sure what to expect when I commissioned Kate to paint my son, however I was amazed at her capacity to not just get a likeness but it was as though she looked into his soul and captured his essence to the point where the hairs on my arm stood on end when I viewed the portrait. Thank you
Juliet Hook