Kate Whiteman

Works
Biography

Kate Whiteman is a mixed media artist whose bold, process-driven portraits explore themes of female strength, visibility, and resistance. A Cambridge drop-out with a strong instinct to go her own way, Kate has built a career outside traditional paths — refusing to follow the rules, both in life and in her work.

 

Using experimental materials like oil paint and concrete, her paintings challenge conventional ideas of beauty and portraiture, often rooted in deeply personal or social narratives.

 

Working primarily with concrete, the artist is drawn to its weight and permanence — a material more often associated with structure and endurance than softness. This inherent contrast is central to her exploration of the human figure, where the surface is not merely a backdrop but an active presence within the work itself.

 

Each portrait begins with careful drawing, balanced by a surface that is allowed to push back, creating a dynamic tension between intention and intuition. This physical dialogue prevents the work from becoming overly polished, preserving its immediacy.

 

While rooted in the human form, these pieces are not depictions of specific individuals; instead, they seek to evoke a sense of presence, something recognisable yet undefined.