Kat Barnett

Being vulnerable shows strength. As a maker and artist, I consider vulnerability. When I use materials, I contemplate how to house, care for, or illustrate vulnerability. As an interdisciplinary artist, I blend printmaking, paper making, sculpture, and metalwork to illustrate the power of digging deep into ourselves to evolve for the greater good.

My work begins with an individual and often abstract lens. To begin my process, I sketch or build a tiny paper model or stage items that will become paintings or drawings. Before I start, I consider the message and mood of a piece. These are my primary focus while creating. Metal, my first artistic love, often finds its way into my projects. For the past 25 years I’ve worked as a jeweler and metalsmith, I've sold my creations in the United States through galleries and art fairs.

I'm constantly researching and testing new materials. A big part of my process is experimentation. Other areas of interest and study include copper enameling, soldering, and cold connection metal techniques, testing various alternatives to glazing clay, experimenting with a printing press, hand-pressed items, paper making, and layering materials to create collage works. Working across multiple mediums, I strive to create a visually compelling body of work that is rich in meaning and relevance. In my multidisciplinary practice, I seek new ways to bridge the gap between form and concept while focusing on using art for reflection.