The Reekie Collection at 1066 Art Academy

Through this collection of intriguing and often amusing images Reekie has explored our fascination with natural and scientific museum exhibits - unfamiliar forms preserved and presented for curious minds.

According to the organisers, we all have a voyeuristic nature.

They say our grandparents looked into glass bottles to observe Nature’s curiosities, today we gaze into glass screens.

Loosely based on genuine specimens, the works have an air of authenticity and importance.

However, on closer inspection the objects depicted will be just as much an illusion as form and depth are in art.

Reekie states “My intention is not to recreate reality, but to nudge people to question it.”

Katherine was born in 1964, and grew up in Teddington, West London. She enjoyed a happy and informed, but not particularly ‘arty’, childhood.

Katherine wasn’t a very academic child, but she was always good at art - “it was my saving grace and I gladly jumped on any opportunity to do something arty.

“I enjoyed the process and the encouragement. When I was 7 years old I won a painting competition. I remember people saying how talented I was and how I could be an artist when I grew up. The seed was planted.”

Katherines art education started in earnest when she was 16. She began a two-year Foundation Art Course at Richmond College.

She found this an enlightening experience and confirmed her destiny as an artist.

She then did a further foundation year followed by a Fine Art Degree at Camberwell School of Art, London.

Attracted by its extreme contrasts and eccentricities, Katherine moved to Hastings in the year 2000. Since then she has been busy working as an artist and craftswoman.

Although she admits to admiring the work of the impressionist artists such as Van Gogh and Lautrec, the greatest influence on her own artwork must be surrealism. “I tend to be attracted by the surreal in life.

“I always have an eye for unusual juxtapositions - whether they are physical or conceptual.”

In 2012 Katherine was selected to exhibit at the Pure Autumn Art Fair in Battle, and was awarded the prize of best overall artist.

This year she has gone on to show her work at various venues – most recently exhibiting at the STRARTA Art Fair with the Pure Arts Group and at the Affordable Art Fair with Avery Contemporary Arts.

Katherine says that “despite the fact that it can be a daunting profession, I do love being an artist.

“Having the support and recognition of individuals and groups such as the Pure Arts Group is also immensely helpful.”

Katherine will be exhibiting a wide range of her artwork and books as part of this exhibition at the 1066 Art Academy. Artwork prices from £ 300

Katherine will be at the gallery frequently so why not pop in and say hello.

Gallery open to the public weekly - Thurs - Sat 11am - 4pm