Kate Hopkins has an MFA in printmaking and was recently accepted into the EFA Studio Program in New York City. Recent exibitions include Works on Paper curated by Charlotta Kotik, former Senior Curator of Contemporary Art at the Brooklyn Museum, and Works on Paper 2024 curated by Kim Conaty, Chief Curator of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Conaty seleceted Painted Weaving No. 12 for the second place prize. Hopkins work is currently on view in Structure and Story, the 2024 New Members Exibition in the EFA Gallery Space, through December 3rd.

Initially inspired by the microscopic scales that cover butterfly wings, Kate’s work explores the innate calming and grounding physiological effects of biophilic patterns and biophilia. It has since become a deep commitment to the very particular process itself. Slow and repetitive, yet demanding unwavering attention to detail, the process requires viewing oneself more as a verb than a noun. The lines between consciousness, time and identity become blurred, not automatically, but by necessity.

The work explores the textile-like quality of the paintings, as well as the similarity in process and labor inherent in mediums such as weaving and quilting. Her own experience with such a labor intensive process has led to question if there is a a “self-expanding” quality to this type of work that leads to a greater sense of connectedness, belonging, and compassion. Kate deconstructs the psychologically demanding and tedious process to ask if there is meaning behind creative labor that is fundamental to human flourishing both as an individual, and by extension, a community.

portait by Lucas Hoeffel