Kathryn Davis

Explosive Creativity through Colour, Texture, and Expression

Kathryn Davis is a multi-disciplinary artist and educator with a background in textile design. She studied at Waiariki Polytechnic in Rotorua, Wellington Polytechnic (now Victoria University), and Christchurch College of Education. Over the years, she has explored a wide range of mediums, including printmaking, painting, photography, and mixed media.

Kathryn’s playful, experimental approach to art has led to unique creative moments—one of the most memorable being a fabric design made with non-traditional materials, later picked up by fashion designer Karen Walker. This story captures her willingness to push boundaries and find inspiration in unexpected places.

A colourist at heart, Kathryn’s work is known for its vibrant energy and tactile quality. Her artistic influences include Robert Rauschenberg, Jim Dine, Mark Rothko, Claude Monet, Helen Frankenthaler, Gretchen Albrecht, and Robert Kushner. Inspired by these artists, her work reflects the expressive depth of abstract expressionism, where texture and colour play a central role.

Life drawing workshops are a regular source of inspiration for Kathryn, informing her gestural, expressive style. The immediacy of these sessions translates into her art, giving it a fluid and dynamic feel.

“Texture and colour are everything,” she says, highlighting her passion for layering and experimenting with different materials. Whether working with paint, textiles, or mixed media, Kathryn’s creations are immersive, engaging the senses and evoking emotion.

With many years of experience as an art educator, Kathryn’s teaching practice has expanded her artistic horizons and deepened her understanding of various disciplines. This dual role as artist and educator keeps her creative process open, exploratory, and ever-evolving.

Kathryn Davis moves seamlessly between ideas and mediums, guided by a passion for expressive freedom. Her bold, gestural work celebrates the power of colour and texture to tell stories and ignite emotions.

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Art is where I feel most alive—free to play, explore, and express the world as I experience it.

This is Kathryn Davis: a fearless artist whose work embodies vibrant expression and sensory depth.