Explore memories with artist Kaitlyn Wagner

Explore Kaitlyn Wagner’s artistic world of episodic memories

Kaitlyn Wagner would best describe her work as a vessel which allows her to investigate, portray and convey a variety of concepts and ideas.

“Currently, it’s how the active information within memories are heavily interlocked and centred around landscapes, and the symbolism of colour,” Kaitlyn said, explaining that (visually) her work is abstract in nature and incorporates a spectrum of colours.

Throughout her practice, Kaitlyn said she has mainly worked with different variations of sandstone and has incorporated a range of acrylic and gouache paints.

“I’ve done so primarily across square or circular canvases, as not to reference the history of portraiture and landscape with which rectangles are associated,” she said.

One of the first projects she worked on, was a sandstone

sculptural piece.

“The work was challenging — it was the first time I worked with sculpting this material — but, to date, it has been the most rewarding experience; not only learning from and working with my father (who is a master stone mason), but also in working within a new field.”

In 2016, Kaitlyn won an Emerging Artist Award.

“Winning was incredible. “I remember being so nervous; I was asked to speak on behalf of my fellow artists at the opening of the exhibition and, after delivering the speech, I was so relieved that I was caught by surprise when I heard my name announced as the winner.”

Kaitlyn draws inspiration from her surroundings.

“I am inspired by the everyday; how vastly beautiful and unique landscapes are all over the world and how we as a species interact with, interpret and recall these locations.”

She is currently working on a series of paintings which aims to investigate and demonstrate the emotions connected to episodic memories and the site–specific environments in which they occur.

“The series incorporates the fragmentation of explored landscapes, geometry, symbolism of colour, and the deconstruction of visual stimuli into form, shape, and composition.”