Props - Kate McLeod

About

Winner of the Sculpture category of Spotlight 2014, Kate McLeod's practice is underpinned by the concept 'becoming other'. The work is visceral - an expressive pursuit concerned with materiality within a figurative sculptural practice. She uses archetypal materials such as clay to work into figures, which are supported by off-cuts and junk. Her technique begins with a 'prop', either architectural or found object, against which clay is thrown. Throwing is instinctive; McLeod bypasses the brain and engages the animal self (or other). The resultant clay forms are then observed and interpreted until a figure emerges.  A model is then filmed shifting and moving in the pose, from which stills are taken to determine the final posture.  These images are used to model the clay into a rough figure. 'Bracing' supports the growth of the work, as an external armature. The dialogue between the figure, the bracing and props is fundamental.

After graduating with honours from Goldsmiths College in 2005, McLeod went on to work for Anthony Caro. In 2007, she left Caro's studio to pursue an MFA in Sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art having been awarded AHRC funding. While at the Slade she was shortlisted for a Public Art award for British Land and attended a residency at Merz Barn, Ambleside. After graduating McLeod had her first solo exhibition at Postbox Gallery, London, which included a 7-day performance. She has been awarded the Royal British Society of Sculptors 2011 Bursary Award and the 2012 Brian Mercer Bronze Residency, Pietrasanta, Italy. She has exhibited in the UK and Europe including the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Eyestorm Gallery, RBS Galleries, WCA, ME108 Lisboa and recently a solo exhibition of ceramics at M2 Gallery, London.