While Reading Wifedom: Katherine Hattam

Katherine Hattam's process is an act of intuitive creation, where meaning becomes apparent through observation over time. This distinctive and retrospective realisation makes one thing clear: that the urge to create precedes understanding, and our relationship to this meaning unfolds simultaneously with her process.

Through an evocative fusion of painting, drawing, and collage—Hattam has developed an intricate visual language. Here, words and images become enmeshed. Deeply rooted in a personal exploration of identity and memory; Hattam expertly pursues an interplay of vibrant colours, symbolic imagery, and layered textures that delve into complexities of our society.

Initially self-taught, Hattam began drawing at sixteen, often unconsciously creating from her immediate surroundings. She pursued literature and political science at university, but maintained her passion for drawing. It wasn't until she was thirty-eight that she formally trained in art, earning a Masters in Painting from the Victorian College of the Arts. Hattam's practice reflects this lifelong commitment to the visual language she first cultivated in her early years, crafting small observational drawings that evolved into the large sheets of cartridge paper which she is now celebrated for. 

As a seasoned artist, her work continues to resonate with a diverse audience, underscoring the enduring impact of her creative vision.Hattam has a remarkable ability to transcend the boundaries of traditional artistic mediums, offering a profound reflection on the intersection of the personal, universal and cross-generational. She challenges us to confront and embrace the intricacies of our own age and emotional landscapes, and has left an indelible mark on Australia’s contemporary art scene.