KATHARINE SMITH-WARREN

My collage art is very freeform. I don’t start with a specific plan or subject; instead, I sift through my collection of materials and experiment, seeing how they relate to one another. Do they speak to me? If I’m lucky, an image begins to emerge. My materials are diverse: old paintings on paper or canvas, drawings, magazine pages, images transferred through silk screening, manipulated photos, fabrics often embellished with hand stitching, and handmade papers. I also incorporate objects like feathers found on walks in the park, along with various “found” items. Friends contribute too—tree branches and flowers are the most common gifts. The transformation begins when pieces are placed next to something unexpected. If I’m fortunate, the materials start to communicate with one another. As I look at what may be a finished piece, it can evoke different emotions and memories; joy, anger, sadness, intensity, or sometimes just the peaceful beauty of nature. I struggle with titles because I don’t want to steer the viewer in a specific direction. Will the work speak to them? I hope they’ll find their own meaning. Art, after all, is a two-way street.

www.smithwarrenart.com
IG: @ksmithwar