CREATING order and meaning out of the simple things in life is what inspires a young woman’s artistry.
Katrina Lynch has completed a four-year bachelor of visual arts degree at the Manukau Institute of Technology.
The 21-year-old’s work was displayed in the MIT visual arts school’s end-of-year presentation, which showcases students’ final work. One of her pieces features Polaroid images of people wearing a charity-shop sweater emblazoned with the words “Art is long life is good”.
“I’m interested in the idea that people need to create order and meaning in their life,” says Katrina, of Highland Park.
“I found that jumper in an op-shop and I thought it was funny. Maybe some funny person had made this jumper trying to find meaning and order in art.”
Katrina won two awards, including the head of school prize, at the exhibition’s opening night.
“I was really happy about that,” says the bubbly artist. “But, for me, the coolest bit was when I saw people giggling at some of my work. Reading some of the diagrams, they were like ‘oh, yeah’.”
Katrina specialises in installation work and drawing, and uses pencil diagrams and lots of “found” objects in her work.
“The diagrams are all about thoughts or things that I have learnt about art making, or just about life.
“A lot of my things look quite officey. I like the office aesthetic because it reminds me of order.
“I would work in the office and people would walk past. I became part of the artwork, rather than just looking at the art.”
Katrina now has her sights set on a career in teaching and is considering doing a master’s in art.
“Visual art helps you think creatively and about the creative process. It’s kind of like conceptual art – it’s about ideas, not about what you actually make.
“All art is about life anyway. It’s just talking about life.”
