Contributor Series: Kate van der Drift

Kelly O'Shea – Glue Gallery

Kate van der Drift makes art and works as a freelance photographer. A chance photographer emergency and Facebook introduction had her coming to the rescue and taking some great photographs for the latest issue (she photographed Kelly O'Shea and the folks of Glue Gallery). Unfortunately, we wrote her surname incorrectly in the credits (terrible, but true - and coming from someone who's always going on about proofreading!) A thousand apologies Kate!

Remains of Their Music and Laughter Float In The Air

After graduating from art school in Dunedin in 2010, she spent time travelling through Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia... then ended up back in Dunedin for a bit until the City of Sails called... and now Auckland is home. 

Over the past year Kate has been teaching photography and working as a freelance photographer doing portraiture, events and fashion photography, and says she's excited about the creative possibilities in Auckland, with so many new people to collaborate with.  

Kate's most recent photography exhibition was called They Could Have Stayed Forever. Under the name We Are Optimistic, she has been collaborating with Clare Fleming, working across performance, installation and curation to make hopeful art that inspires social change.

They Could Have Stayed Forever

There Will Be New Life (But Not In This Sea)

Up next is a performance and exhibition called One Day Wonder at Pearce Gallery (in front of the Whitecliffe College of Arts). We Are Optimistic will be doing a performance and artist talk from 5.30pm on the 10th of May (the exhibition will be open from 10 – 1 on the 11th of May).

Kate will also be part of a show of new work at the Morrinsville Wallace Gallery at the end of July with Rohana Weaver and Clare Fleming. Sounds like an exciting show – featuring sculpture, drawing, watercolours and large scale photographs.

Check out more of Kate's work at www.katevanderdrift.com 
and www.katevanderdriftphotography.com

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