Kate Barbee
The palpable tension in my work is born from a flurried,
dysmorphic relationship to my body and the visceral power within
it. Each painting is comprised of fragments of art-historical
symbols, acts of raw sexuality, archival scraps of textural fabrics,
and clippings from my own reality. I see every piece as a singular
autobiographical moment depicted through a perspective that
is removed from the actual experience—floating somewhere in
proximity.
I begin with either a light color wash on the canvas, or no treatment
at all, abstaining from any preparatory sketching. Instead, I
dive into improvisational outlining, taking acrylic directly to the
surface to lay a foundation. I search for the rhythm of the painting
by rummaging through a big box of dismembered pieces, then
sew in the scraps, often revitalizing the color of their new surface.
This process is a way to remain private, presenting a disorientation
of forms snatched from personal experiences. Each visual and
conceptual fragment included within the work reflects aspects of
memories both detached and intimate.
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