Kate Briscoe

Geologica – Erosion across landscapes

‘If I go back into my history of landscape painting in Australia I have to refer back to my early work as a student and exhibiting artist in UK. I grew upon the south coast of England, I explored and worked from beaches and cliff faces. My interest from the start focussed on the geological features of landscapes rather that seeing ‘a view’. When I arrived in Australia I travelled to Frazer Island, the Simpson Desert and along the coast of New South Wales. These raw, exposed landscapes were my inspiration and still are. I further travelled through and drew inspiration from Arnhem Land and The Kimberley.

Early series were called ‘Earth Lines’, later series ‘Geologica’ and’ Rockfaces’. The Rockface series draw directly from specific places where I record structures, textures and colours. I draw, photograph and make rubbings of rock formations. These I bring to the studio to work from. I have been making textured surfaces since my student days, using various materials, for the last 30 years I have been mixing fine sand, pigments and acrylic medium on canvas, with works on paper I have used sand, tapa cloth, torn monoprint, watercolours, printing ink, acrylics. The materials reference the subject matter.’

Geologica – Coastal Erosion

‘The works in this exhibition are inspired by cliff faces off the Kimberley Coast [Bigge Island] and cliff faces in river gorges in the Kimberley [Chamberlaine Gorge]. Works from two years ago were inspired by rock formations at Wasp Head near Batemans Bay in NSW, the cliff face there has dramatic formations where the ocean has worn the rock, it also contains fossilised timber [black] inclusions. The latest works reference a sandstone cliff face at Depot Beach in Murramarang National Park on the NSW south coast I have been recording this particular cliff face for about ten years, early this year I saw massive erosion from recent severe weather events, the rock face has become fragile and delicate.’

Kate Briscoe 2023

Sydney-based artist Kate Briscoe has an extensive exhibition CV, exhibiting throughout Australia as well as exhibitions in Korea, Beijing, the UK and the US. She obtained her initial tertiary qualifications in the UK before migrating to teach at the National Art School and complete her Masters of Fine Art at COFA. Briscoe has been a finalist in the Blake, The Fleurieu Prize for Landscape, The Plein Air Prize, Wynne Prize, Calleen Art Prize, Muswellbrook Art Prize, KAAF Art Prize and Paddington Art Prize on various occasions.

Her work is included in major public collections including the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery, NSW Government House, and Parliament House Canberra. Respected art writers and critics including Joanna Mendellsohn, Peter Pinson and Sasha Grishin have reviewed Briscoe’s practice. She has held over forty-six solo exhibitions.

Briscoe has refined a unique technique for creating her paintings, working sand acrylic and pigment across the canvas to create layering and textures reminiscent of the rock faces that inspire her. As Joanna Mendelssohn states: “The best way of describing these paintings is to say that they were born old — their toughness, monumentality and their rugged surface give the impression that in these works Briscoe has captured the ultimate essence of an ancient land.”

Art Atrium Exhibition Opening – Kate Briscoe – Geologica

Art Atrium Artists Exhibition – Jacqueline Balassa, Kate Briscoe, Sophie Dunlop, Phillip Edwards and David Middlebrook

Congratulations to Art Atrium artist for getting the Georges River Art Prize

Congratulations to Art Atrium artists Julie Harris, Keith Fyfe, Patrick Shirvington and Kate Briscoe for being Finalists in the KAAF Art Prize 2021