Kathy Prest
“Being passionate about dynamics of movement in dance is my inspiration for creating tactile, sensuous sculptures, with each piece telling its own story. I look for the underlying anatomy and transform it into harmonious, simplified forms, and strive to capture the fleeting magic.
I work in clay for the suppleness and delicacy of the medium and its willingness to be transformed into classical figures that come alive and dance across the table. When working in plaster, I use the enigmatic body of a dancer simplified in a moment of time. This medium dictates that details are eliminated so the sculpture is timeless.
My goal is to inspire those who see my work to appreciate the beauty in the people around them.”
Kathy is self taught and best known for her sculptures of simplified dancers caught in a moment of time. Born in London and living and working in Hertfordshire, UK, she works in the medium of sculpture using either clay or plaster which is predominantly cast in bronze. Kathy’s interest in the dynamics of movement in dance is the inspiration for her tactile and sensuous sculptures eclipsing all her previous passions.
Teaching:
2003 – current Modelling in clay at private adult classes since 2003 in North London and Hertfordshire. Although initially a figurative class with
a live model, the class has evolved to cover a vast range of sculptures and very few ideas are discouraged, which forever
expands my abilities which I find extremely exciting. Students are given the option of firing or casting and encouragement given
to anyone who wishes to exhibit.
Group Exhibitions:
2019 The Society of Women Artists, The Mall Galleries, London
The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London
Arkley Fine Art, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Hemsley Gallery, Hemsley, Yorkshire
2018 The Society of Women Artists, The Mall Galleries, London
Arkley Fine Art, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Hemsley Gallery, Hemsley, Yorkshire
2017 Jack Fine Art, Yorkshire
Society of Women Artists, The Mall Galleries, London
Red Rag Gallery, Stow on the Wold, Gloucester
Farnham & Lake, Aynhoe Park, Oxfordshire
Arkley Fine Art Gallery, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
2016 Ballon Rouge Art Gallery, Thame, Oxfordshire
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London
Edinburgh Art Fair, Edinburgh
Jack Fine Art, Hemsley, Yorkshire
Art Movement Gallery, Battersea, London
Herts Open Studio
Society of Women Artists, The Mall Galleries, London
2015 Gallery Argentum, London WC1
Citi Bank, Canary Wharf, London
Art Movement Gallery, Battersea, London
Living Crafts, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
App Art Godalming, Surrey
Edinburgh Art Fair, Skylark Gallery, Edinburgh
Society of Women Artists, The Mall Galleries. London
Jack Fine Art Gallery, Hemsley, Yorkshire
2014 George Thornton Gallery, Nottingham
Skylark Gallery, Oxo Tower, London
CO2 Gallery, Colchester, Essex
Society of Women Artists, Mall Galleries, London
AAF Battersea, Art Movement Gallery
Living Crafts, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
Awards:
2016 Artavita, Certificate of Excellence
Light Time & Space Gallery, Florida, nominated
2015 British Women Artists, nominated
Society of Women Artists – Sculpture Award,Mall Galleries, London
2012 EWAAC Award
2006 Chelsea Art Society – Sculpture Award
2005 London Art: Best Visual Artist, Oxo Tower, London
Society of Women Artists – Best Figurative Artist, Mall Galleries, London
Commissions:
2018 Private Commission, Hertfordshire
2015 Private Commission, London
2013 House Surgery Interior Design, Chelsea
Miracles Charity, Lambeth, London
Bibliography:
2018 The Society of Women Artists catalogue article ‘A sculptor Passionate about Dance’
2007 Artists & Illustrators ‘Spirit of the Dance’ article
2001 Hertfordshire Magazine. Front Cover & article ‘Kathy’s a model woman’