In beautiful surroundings we looked at the beautiful art of Kate MccGwire, a London-based artist whose heart still beats strongly in Norfolk where she grew up around The Broads and nurtured her love for the avian wildlife there, which drives her work, writes Michael Holland.
In the penthouse of the 1 Hotel Mayfair, Kate’s prints were hung on racks around the rooms, with several of her amazing sculptures on display – all connected to, or created with, bird feathers; feathers that fall off the birds naturally.
The stunning works of art draw you in until you can see the finest details of the plumage, although attached to un-birdlike structures. Some appear to be snakes coiled into glass boxes, writhing as the light hits the feathers.
Kate MccGwire came to the art world quite late in life but her Royal College of Art Graduation Show was snapped up by Charles Saatchi who gave Kate her first real exhibition in his gallery. But that did not open the door to immediate fame and fortune, as she says, ‘I had to keep up a good standard of creativity as well as evolve.’
Twenty years on, Kate has exhibited in France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, USA, and China. The evolution in her art has seen some of her sculptures likened to erotica, somewhat similar to what has been written about Gustav Klimt’s work, an artist who has inspired Ms MccGwire. Keith Roberts wrote in a review, ‘Works like Cleave and Pelt seem to invoke the mythical vagina dentata, threatening castration, but at the same time seductive and luring.’
The artist has now teamed up with Co-Lab369 to create Enigma – a limited edition of scarves inspired by her designs. The collaboration came about over a 10-year friendship between Kate and fashion designer Michelle Lindup. Now, collectors can purchase unique fashion items and wear Kate MccGwire artworks. Made from luxury silk, wool and cashmere, each one-off scarf is crafted using artisanal techniques and practices from Como, Italy, renowned for the best in bespoke luxury, environmentally-friendly dyes are used and each one is made to order, ensuring minimum waste.
Check out the art of Kate MccGwire and the scarves here: https://katemccgwire.com/kate-mccgwire-x-colab369
