Listen to a CONVERSATION with the artist Geddes.
Geddes works in the realm of mythology. Her larger-than-life paintings include representations of monkeys (mind), martyrs (spirit), mummies (body), and now goddesses. They begin as powerful symbols that represent something profoundly personal and cathartic to Kate, but by painting’s end they represent something more universal. While her work is wildly original, Kate explains that the “mystical and bold emotionalism of Goya, Grunewald, and Bacon” inspires her. “They portray startling, shocking images, yet they have great tenderness and beauty,” she adds. “It is this tradition to which I wish to add my voice.”
And, so she has added her voice, a strong and complete one at that. Although Kate’s work is practically an island-kept secret, it won’t be for long. It’s easy for one to imagine her work hung next to Francis Bacon’s in New York’s MOMA or London’s Lefevre Gallery. Like the work of the artists that inspire her, Kate’s paintings leave a lasting impression that is oftentimes visceral and haunting. Her Madness quadriptych (view below), created after a friend went insane, was an exorcism of sorts for her, and a perfect example of her process.
Years before Kate ever painted, she would tell friends: “I know I’m a painter.” However, with kids to raise and a busy career, she didn’t have the energy to paint, but she did have faith that it was only a matter of time. After a long career as a textile artist and clothing designer, which included traveling back and forth to India for decades, her children—she is mother to artist and Springboard owner Libi Geddes and aunt to sculptor Aleph Geddis* who appears in the pages of this book—grew up and at a young sixty-years-old, Kate was accepted to the San Francisco Art Institute. Let it be known though that Kate did not attend art school because she didn’t know how to paint; she went because she couldn’t draw, and for what she had in mind, drawing was vital.
Persephone, acrylic, rice paper
The Healer, 56”x 50” oil and charcoal
Listen to a CONVERSATION with Kate. Read more about Kate’s work and see her Caught painting in Ōde or visit www.geddesart.com