Kate Horner

Email:kate@artqualifications.co.uk

Tel:

Location:Lancashire

Artist in Residence Qualified:yes

Medium:Textiles |

My work is about the places I visit and the people I meet. The focus is on my family and friends, and our environmental and peacework.

"Skins" was my M.A. show where I developed techniques for printing on felt. The figures are body masks exploring the "who we are" we show the world and the "who we are" we show our friends - although we always keep something private. The inside shares messages about my determination for a peaceful world and my belief that we all have a great potential that is beautiful, limitless and individual which we need to allow to shine - so often we hold it in. The outside explores aspects of beauty and structure. The final installation included theatrical lighting which included the viewer within it. I would love to see this used within a dance or drama piece. It has been exhibited in school and I would like to see it used in this way.

The Leighton Moss pieces are made around a local nature reserve where my husband works. This is his passion and it is why I love him. I want to record and celebrate what he achieves here. I work in sketchbooks and take photographs, developing pieces later in the studio. I use the computer to combine and explore ideas. Some of these are pieces in their own right, others designs for textile work. I find I can bring back the emotional aspect of what I feel about the places I visit in this way.

Trying to keep pieces fresh with the directness and honesty of the marks in a sketchbook is a real challenge with work that takes a long time. I enjoy working directly in textiles to record what I see. This is something I do, especially in the life class. I want to explore this further.

My work has been exhibited nationally. I love to share it but it is precious to me, an extension of myself and my family. It shows my son how I see the world, so I keep it close.