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KATI THAMO

b. 1956 Perth, Western Australia

STATEMENT

The telling of tales is integral to Thamo's art. Stories fuelling her prints are found amidst the chaos and plenitude of life, family tales from Eastern Europe, autobiographical snatches from her life and from observation of self now, as another bewildered person attempting making sense of it all.

There is poetic intent in Thamo's images, and strong use of metaphor.  All of the elements used are deliberately chosen for the connotations they hold and the stories to which they allude. Animals (often in association with people) appear frequently, both for their inherent qualities and as metaphors for aspects of our selves.

Thamo portrays her stories not simply as illustrations, but as fables; carriers of meanings that are more or less ambiguous but hopefully conveying something of the human condition.

Thamo works mostly in printmedia, doing etchings, linocuts and collagraphs.  She is especially drawn to the textural and embossing effect of collagraphs, and the intensity of colour and layering that can be achieved with this form of printmaking.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    • 2002 Relating Narratives - Artplace, WA
    • 1997 Stories, Lies and Make Believe - Artplace, WA GROUP EXHBITIONS
    • 2003 Remembering Women Working for Women - Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery, Fremantle, WA Bacchanalia II - Gorepani, Albany, WA
    • 2002 Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle, WA
    • 2001 Hutchins Award - Long Gallery, Hobart, Tas Modo de Volar - Entrepot Gallery, Hobart, Tas Small Passions - Fine Arts Gallery, Hobart, Tas Mine Own Executioner - Mundaring, WA Christmas Collection - Beaver Galleries, Canberra, ACT Fremantle Print Award - Fremantle, WA
    • 2000 Silk Cut Award - Melbourne, Vic The Feast - Albany, WA
    • 1999 Fremantle Print Award - Fremantle, WA
    • 1998 Small Figures - Big Lives - Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, WA Fremantle Print Award - Fremantle, WA
    • 1997 Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle, WA
    • 5 Years Artplace - Artplace, WA
    • 1996 Environment-Landcare - Bunbury, WA
    • 1995 Deliriously Serious - Albany, WA
    • 1994 Hot Chips - Albany, WA AWARDS
    • 2003 Western Australian Printmedia Awards, Major Open Award
    • 2002 Fremantle Print Award, Highly Commended Albany Art Prize, Airport Award
    • 2001 Albany Art Prize, Print Award
    • 2000 Silk Cut Award, Finalist
    • 1999 ITC Art Prize, Highly Commended
    • 1998 Printmakers Assoc of WA Competition, Highly Commended
    • 1996 Printmakers Assoc of WA Competition Award
    • 1995 Wild Art Competition, Black and White Award
    • 1992 Albany Art Prize, Minature Award

COMMISSIONS

Commissions have been completed for the Albany Primary School (Percent For Art Project, 2001-2) and the Print Council of Australia (annual print commission, 2000).  Commissions pending include the Albany Justice Complex.

COLLECTIONS / REPRESENTATION

Print Council of Australia, Banyule City Council (Vic), St John of God Hospital (WA), Native Title Tribunal, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery (Qld), Gladstone Regional Art Gallery (Qld), Burnie Regional Art Gallery (Tas), City of Wanneroo (WA), Murdoch University (WA), Great Southern Regional College (WA), City of Fremantle (WA) and numerous private collections throughout Australia and overseas.

RESIDENCIES

  • 2003 Shell Fremantle Print Award, Fremantle Arts Centre, WA