Katherine Garratt was born in Toronto and received her Honours BFA in Visual Art at York University. She also attended Thornton Hall, a private high school in Toronto where she received a classical art education. Her acrylic paintings on canvas have been featured in solo or group exhibitions at Founders Gallery in Toronto; Artemis Gallery in North Vancouver; The Federation Gallery in Vancouver; The Surrey Art Gallery in Surrey; The Turnbull Gallery, and The Nomad Gallery in White Rock, BC. She is a full-time artist living and working in White Rock and is represented by Nomad Gallery. Many of her paintings are held in private collections.

Katherine's newest series "The Golden Age" draws inspiration from the worldwide myth of paradise. Many cultures have myths, legends, or folklore describing a land where human beings are immortal and live peacefully with nature. Some examples include: Elysium, Avalon, Dilmun, Aaru, Kunlun, Shangri-La, and TirNaNog. In her paintings, she creates an imaginary paradisiacal realm where a mutualistic relationship exists between human life and nature rather than a competitive one. Her iconography expresses metamorphic changes and the hybridity of human figures, sea life, birds, animals, and plants. For example in "Meeting With The Angelfish" she depicts a human figure with physical characteristics of an angelfish, while in "Listening To The Bison" she depicts a human figure with the head of a bison.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I am a contemporary artist inspired by worldwide myths, legends, and folklore that describe a time when the earth existed in a state of paradise. I aspire to portray imagery that conveys a symbiotic relationship between human life and nature. My work depicts environments where peace and harmony prevail, which expresses my deeply rooted belief that love is much stronger than hate, and that there is a positive future for our planet.

My painting process is influenced by early 20th century modern artists. I am especially inspired by German Expressionism, which expanded from Germany to the rest of Europe and North America from 1905 to 1920. The two German Expressionist artists to whom I have looked to for inspiration from that period are painter Paula Modersohn-Becker and printmaker Kathe Kollwitz. Expressionist art portrays imagery that expresses inner emotions and spirituality, which is the opposite of Realism.