Description
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am drawn to the rusty, old, mundane and discarded things of this world. I use these materials and objects that I find on the ground, in thrift store, yard sales and flea markets in my artwork. From discarded styrofoam to vintage door knobs and from rusty keys to games pieces, I incorporate these forgotten, unwanted objects into my work, giving them new meaning and life. By doing so, I build unexpected juxtapositions between these objects and materials to see how their new relationships change the way we see them.
BIOGRAPHY
Kate Carvellas was born in Baton Rouge, LA. While visual art was a passion her entire life (she was creating art consistently from her early teens to her early 20’s), and after more than one detour, she ultimately attended George Mason University, where she received a BFA in Theater. She moved to Los Angeles in 1992 to work in the entertainment industry (Disney, etc.) It was not until 2004 that she allowed herself to return her focus toward the visual arts after a 18 year break. At first, she focused on collage, creating thematic compositions from mass media imagery. By 2007, she had transformed her practice to focus on three-dimensional artworks using objects she has collected from thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets.
Precedents for her practice are found in the work of American artists Louise Bourgeois and German-born feminist sculptor Eva Hesse. Both of these 20th century masters deployed unconventional materials to “talk about” their lived experiences. She allows her artworks to similarly “talk about” her conflicts, confusions, and insights. Assembling and rearranging objects allows her to “re-construct” and redeem her personal narrative.
Carvellas began exhibiting in 2008 at a local coffee shop and has expanded her practice since, with numerous solo exhibitions, even more group shows and a major installation in 2018. That same year, she won first place and the purchase prize at the Museum of Art and History, Lancaster. Her paintings and sculptures are in private collections throughout the US, from Florida and Virginia to California. Her work has been reviewed in the Pasadena Star News, Art and Cake and Diversion LA.
Assemblage artist, mixed media artist and sculptor, Kate Carvellas brings aged, often distressed materials into our contemporary world, challenging us to see them anew.
Awards/Honors
2018 – “My Soul is Not for Sale” – Accessioned into the Lancaster Museum of Art and History’s permanent collection.
2018 – “My Soul is Not for Sale” received Best of Exhibition 1st Place in the 33rd Annual Juried Art Exhibition at MOAH: Cedar (Lancaster Museum of Art and History)
2014
Artist Statement
My ongoing journey of creative expression has recently led me to a new and unexpected place. When I began creating artwork seven years ago it was made entirely of borrowed images and objects. Through the years, I slowly began leaving my own marks on the work. Starting out with light pencil markings to more visible lines and shapes. As my confidence grew, so did the strength of my marks and brush strokes. While I am is still deeply enjoying creating assemblages out of found objects, I now create work made entirely from my own hand. These painting, at first, sprang straight from my subconscious. Lately, however, I have also been using my own photographs as the springboard for my abstract paintings. Abstracting reality.
My work is an essential and intensely personal part of my life. It explores and expresses the inner workings of my mind and heart in a way that words cannot express. It is my hope that when people see my work, it will somehow resonate with them on some level, be it intellectual, emotional or spiritual.
Exhibit Highlights
2014 – Received Best in Show 3rd place ribbon from Mat Gleason for the “FRESH” exhibit at Southbay Contemporary/Zask Gallery
Received “Special Recognition” for “Fragmented” and “Life’s Masquerade” from Upstream People Gallery’s “9th Annual Faces Online Art Exhibit”.
Received Awards of Merit at the “53rd Bold Expressions International Art Exhibit” in Carmichael, California for “Will You Still Need Me” and “Through the Looking Grass”
Two pieces (“Process” and “Three”) were chosen to be a part of The Central California Art Association & Mistlin Gallery’s 57th Annual Spring Art Show.
