Catherine Phan Gates, artist and designer
“I apply a variety of techniques to make marks that denote position, placement, and I use a process to describe multiple experiences – coincidences."
Born during 1972 in Pennsylvania, Catherine Gates’ early years and schooling were in the Far East, the Middle East, North Africa, and North America. The artist’s childhood memories are vibrant with multicultural discovery. There were many observations and lessons about cultural geography. As an adult, the artist travelled the world and resided in two foreign countries. Gates dedicated some years to studying and understanding architecture as theory, discipline, practice, and project. While living in Australia, she was awarded an architecture degree with first class honors.
Design principles and theories applied to architecture and urbanism are part of her work. She has experience on projects of varying size: as small as a napkin sketch, as charming as a boat shed, and as large as a metropolitan area. Her work has been exhibited in Australia, USA, and Iceland. Catherine Gates works independently as an artist and designer and welcomes referrals for custom business.
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Cath Gates lives and works in Los Angeles. Every so often she boondocks or goes bush for fourteen days at a time to make tincture, dig a pit that draws air, find water, or trace pictographs.
Cath Gates has an early career history in small architecture offices while residing in beautiful Sydney. These include Harry Levine Architects, Simpson + Wilson Architects, and †Nicholas Murcutt Architect. Professional studio work experience has been influential in her independent creative output. Australia had a major impact on her aesthetic message and the significance of utility. Functionality and pragmatism are programmed into design, especially architecture. Cath writes about architecture at the indie WordPress blog Architectural Comment. Some of the essays from this blog will be included in a future book that already has an educated and insightful readership.
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Works in progress include: a house for René Descartes, indie pastiche architecture; City X-10, and an unlimited print series. Promotion takes a lot of time every year. The artist says, “Hearing from someone who appreciates my work is a wonderful way to let go of promotion and have a dialogue with real people. I love getting messages from appreciators.” When you call, just ask for Cath.
FROM THE ARTIST
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"As an artist, I make patterns. These patterns are abstract and non-figurative. My patterns are suitable for large surfaces. Paper is my usual foundation, due to its economy and convenience. I have practiced drawing in the traditions of architecture and the visual arts."
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"I frequently emphasize canonical elements of design such as contrast, repetition, and unity. I draw the urban subject to imply believable social and cultural dispositions; all the possible locations between places in the public realm compose an experiential urban character.”