Kate MacKenzie is an incredible surrealist painter fearlessly exploring the presence of recognisable imagery paired with fluid concepts that guide the viewer’s mind without providing a concise explanation.

I met Kate at her home in Havelock North. She was dressed in her paint splattered tee and ripped jeans, and immediately drew me into her world with her warm smile and relaxed demeanor. I try not to read too much about an artist before I meet them, choosing instead to take people as I find them, as they are in the moment. I find it an effective way of discovering who an artist is through their art and how they present it to you. With Kate, there is no pretense. She lets her art speak for itself - standing to one side to let you listen.

Drawn to art from a young age, Kate found inspiration in her Mother’s forms of creativity. Not being entirely satisfied with her own path in respect to a career in art, Kate became an accountant, a ‘left-field’ choice that didn’t gel. She did eventually come back to her art – painting in pastels before moving into oils on canvas and finding direction through painting what was ‘current’ - moments in time, bringing in concepts such as societal beliefs, technology, the environment, current politics and humanity, multiculturalism. These are all aspects that can be there in the work, though not obviously so.

Early works by Kate- pre 2009

Canvas size: 110x81cm

Pick up is Bellevue Tauranga but could deliver central NI to Auckland as I travel.

Donated by the artist to… and Selling on behalf of Tauranga Rotary.