Katie Fiszman
Degree: BFA: Painting Drawing Printmaking
University: Carmarthen School of Art
Graduation Year: 2023
New Blood Art Commentary
Notable Achievements 2023
Katie Fiszman is in her final year at Carmarthen School of Art studying her BFA in Painting Drawing and Printmaking. She uses oil-based media as well as charcoal and graphite to create large scale abstract paintings on canvas. Fiszman often combines these paintings with found object installations, bringing Surrealism and abstract expressionism together in one piece. The use of a newborn baby doll propped up to face these paintings shows the quirky and thought provoking style of Fiszman. In this way she explores the relationship between human creativity and the consumer driven art world suppressing the needs of the artist.
Rhodri Rees, Lecturer in Art and Design at Carmarthen School of Art:
'Katie shows a capacity to analyze and challenge complex concepts and translate them into captivating abstract representations in paint. One of the most remarkable aspects of Katie's work is her ability to effectively communicate ideas through her own personal abstract language. Her rejection of more conventional painting processes aligns with Katies excellent critical thinking and ability to problem-solve. Visually, Katie's playful approach to the curation of her work has a sense of humor that juxtaposes at times a more perturbed outlook on society. Forever thinking outside the box, her layering of paint, collage, and installation is truly commendable and the team and I at CSoA are excited to see where her practice develops in the future.'
Katie's work was selected for the 2023 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Artist Statement
My small bright oil paintings are inspired by the spirit of surrealism, using colour and shapes to create lively 'scenes' with a biomorphic appearance. The compositions provide uplifting moments of joy and exuberance within the everyday as well as a place to daydream.
They form part of my first body of work post-graduation and are a change in direction following my larger abstract pieces that look at the tension between innate creativity and consumer life.
Group Exhibitions
(2023) Degree Show, Carmarthen School of Art, Carmarthen
(2023) Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy, London
(2023) Irfon Valley Artists Summer Exhibition, Heritage and Arts Centre, Llanwrtyd Wells
(2023) Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London (and touring)
(2023) Tabernacle Art Prize, MOMA, Machynlleth
(2023) Summer Exhibition, Gallery Gwyn, Aberaeron
(2023) Art on the Faith Trail, St Davids Cathedral, Tyddewi
(2022) BF3, Picton Castle, Pembrokeshire
(2022) Inside Out, King Street Gallery, Carmarthen
(2022) Salon de Refusés, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Aberystwyth
(2022) Intimations, The Holy Art Gallery, London
(2022) Threshold, Gallery 41a, Cardiff
(2021) Christmas Exhibition, Mid Wales Arts Centre, Caersws
(2021) Reflections, D31, Doncaster
(2021) Assemblage, Q Gallery, Narberth
(2021) Open Exhibition, Eisteddfod (National Festival of the Arts, Wales), Online
(2021) Fresh Perspectives, London Paint Club, Online
Competitions, Prizes & Awards
(2023) Jackson's Painting Prize, Longlisted
(2022) Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, Longlisted
(2023) Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize, Shortlisted