Kate Da’Casto is a fine artist whose practice spans drawing, photography, printmaking, installation and sculpture. Her work is unmistakable with its hybrid, otherworldly forms. She ‘thinks aloud’ into fully realised forms, which then inspires her printmaking and allows for further refinement of expression. In terms of subject matter, she is drawn to the visceral, the sensual enjoyment of the organic but couples it with a cool, calm cerebral aesthetic which allows difficult and challenging subjects to be explored, reflected upon and enjoyed. Kate was Leicester Print Workshop’s Artist in Residence between 2013 and 2014.
Describe your practice for us:
Currently I am concerned with our use of animals as a way to tell stories about the human condition and the use of myth and metaphor to express our motivations and actions. I have created an alternate set of ‘liminal’ creatures, hybrids of animal and human and present seemingly plausible alternate possibilities for human evolution.
How long have you been practising?
Since graduating from De Montfort University in 2010 with a Fine Art degree, I have continued to make work and have shown both locally and nationally with touring exhibitions. I have had a variety of part time jobs to support my practice – as a tutor of Printmaking for Leicester Print Workshop as a Fine Art Lecturer at De Montfort University. I have also illustrated magazines articles and a book and am a member of the art group The Attic, producing group works and exhibitions. I am currently Leicester Print Workshop’s Artist in Residence.
What is the most interesting/inspiring thing you have seen/been to over the last month, and why?
I recently taught a group about monoprinting at Leicester Print Workshop and the energy, enthusiasm and ideas that were generated really inspired me – every time I teach I find it enervates and refreshes my practice. Working in a group situation is really of benefit and central to my ability to make work. Based at LPW’s studio I find a rich source of support and inspiration in my colleagues – there is nothing quite like a busy creative environment to keep you interested in your art practice and feel ready for the next challenge.
Which other artists’ work do you admire, and why?
Louise Bourgeois constantly inspires and refreshes me, her ability to transform her inner states into beautiful mysterious works across such a huge variety of medium is astonishing. Kiki Smith’s print and sculpture works are also a source of delight to me, she creates visceral, enchanting work that looks effortless and natural whilst seeming entirely new and original.
Where can people see your work?
My work can be viewed on the Leicester Print Workshop website.
See more of Kate’s work and find out more about her practice in this film about etching.
Kate was first interviewed in March 2015.
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