Kate Bancroft

Region: Northeast

Website: http://www.kate-bancroft.com

City / State: Brooklyn, NY

 I paint fragmented self-portraits in food, cosmetics, and various objects that act as lenses, portals, mirrors, and other psychological metaphors. Juxtaposing these symbolic objects, I create specific narratives within each work. Still life painting has historically been a genre that is largely inclusive to women, and I see it as a symbol of feminist resistance.

I often combine chiaroscuro lighting and paint application reminiscent of the Dutch Golden Age of still life painting with bright Pop Art colors. I use a diverse range of paint application including loose, expressionistic strokes, areas of impasto, thin staining, scratching, and other visceral gestures. Notions of wholesomeness, glamour, and other promises of Capitalism are painted with a sense of humor and visible human touch. I construct each image digitally from drawings, personal photography, and found and AI-generated images then create paintings using these digital collages as reference material.