Kaye Forster

Kaye Forster

Gold Coast, South East Queensland, Australia

About Kaye Forster

For a long time now, my practice has been about exploring the interconnection of life forms within ecologies compromised by human activity. The intellectual impetus for each project is research; philosophy, poetry, writings, and environmental essays. For instance, Felix Guattari’s, essay, 'The Three Ecocides' had quite an impact upon my thinking more than a decade ago. It was a kind of planetary horror prognosis for these current times. My earlier eco-works expressing this kind of darkness were certainly influenced by Guattari. Then later, when reading Dante, his quote of his really resonated with me, “Beauty awakens the soul to act”. About the same time, I was also introduced to Gaston Bachelard‘s thinking; so relevant to this concept. Actually, he extends Dante's ideas, and I’ve quoted his words dozens of times in artist statements; it’s the philosophy that underpins my work. Bachelard wrote: "By changing space, by leaving the space of one's usual sensibilities, one enters into communication with a space that is psychically innovating…. For we do not change place, we change our nature." Even Guattari said that for change on this planet to occur, we humans need to change. I thought about this and came to the conclusion that above all, I want my work to highlight our natural world’s resilience and beauty. In other words, transcend the darkness of ecocide. After all, in this left brain world of ours there have been, and currently, exist, some highly creative and caring humans with a huge capacity for finding cooperative environmental solutions. Japans' Dr. Masaru Emoto's water research, is an outstanding example as is Tesla's incredible contributions for non-polluting resources.

Education:

Like my artist, mother, I‘ve had to balance a family life and responsibilities with study and an absorbing art practice; very challenging at times!
My formal background began with Fine Arts Preliminary study while still at high school. Later I graduated with a: Certificate of Arts from Massey University, New Zealand, BA (Art), with High Distinction, from Curtin University, Western Australia and MVA (Master of Visual Arts) from Monash University Australia. I also studied Photographic Processes at The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Next year, I’m hoping the way will finally be clear to work on a doctorate; with a social/environmental premise of course.
So, I’ve really done the hard yards in the pursuit of art as a career but I have also been incredibly fortunate to have been inspired, informed and encouraged by the most amazing university professors and art teachers over the years. It was while I was at Curtin University, that I was encouraged to work with early photographic processes. I’m truly grateful to them all; without inspiring teachers how would we progress?

Events:

2017: Finalist, two works selected, for the Inaugural Art Piece Gallery 30 x 30 Art Prize, NSW, Australia
2016: Winner: People's Choice, Christmas Exhibition, Anthea Polson Art, Queensland Australia
2016: Two works shortlisted for the APA, Australian Photography Award
2015: Selected as one of 35 Australian artists for the Western Australia Exhibition, Cooperative 2015 (a special event to raise funds for young emerging artists).
2013: Finalist in the Josephine Ulrick, Win Schubert Photography Award, Australia
2012: Finalist in the Perth ‘Uncover' Photographic award with ‘Into the Light’, a multimedia series.
2011: Finalist in the Perth ‘Uncover' Photographic award with ‘Deep Woods’ a multimedia series.
2010: A fourteen-page feature article of my photographic works in the British based Silvershotz Photographic Journal.

Collections: Mater Collection (Brisbane) and other private collections in Australia,
New Zealand, New York, Honolulu, and France.

Exhibitions:

Exhibitions: I am currently working toward a solo exhibition entitled, ‘Once and Future Forest’.

Selected, previous exhibitions and awards are documented in 'Events'.
Other exhibitions include:
2010: The Degree Exhibition, Curtin University
2007 A multi-media installation, for the exhibition, ‘Into the Light’, Massey University, Manawatu Campus, New Zealand.