Kate White

5 Forlǣtan, ACL Panels 

6 Fremde Land, ACL Panels 

Forlǣtan ('Abandoned' in Old English) and Fremde Land ('Strange Land' in Old English), strive for the mood of a romantic, Arthur Rackham-esque woodcut and conveying the botanical astonishment of 19th century explorers' rendering of their journey. This work invites the viewer to imagine what the first day might have been like for animals transported for months at sea in terrible conditions (see Christchurch Acclimatisation Society accounts of some of the voyages) and released into this new land, abandoned to their fate: submitting to increasing waves of national hatred, manifesting ultimately in mass poisoning programmes. These works seek to engender, if not sympathy then at least, an awakening comprehension to the universality of sentience and our responsibility to its acknowledgement. Forlǣtan and Fremde Land call for a pause and a review of hitherto political, mechanised, commercial and propaganda-laden views of animals brought here against their will, the fostering of a three-dimensional understanding of the historic and scientific environmental ramification of pursuing our current course, and a deep spiritual look in the mirror regarding the philosophy behind our ideology. 

Kate White is a Hawke's Bay artist whose practice began in the 1980s. She works in many media but especially in pastels, oils and graphite. Her artwork includes larger pieces centred around the underdogs in the New Zealand environment, smaller wares for her market stall: The Rooky Wood, and pastel portraits of dogs, cats and horses. Kate usually has 3-4 local shows per year, writes a Substack newsletter, takes portrait commissions, teaches part-time and is currently studying for a Master of Professional Creative Practice at EIT. Her next exhibition opens 21st March at Hastings Arts Centre.

Website: www.therookywood.com