Kat Brown (nee Shepherd)

Born 1971, Fairfield
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Hons)
Graduation show: 1998
Graduation ceremony: 1999

Artwork in Space YZ

Bear, 1995
Bronze, velvet
50 x 50 cm

Bear was created within a series of experimental works which evolved around the theme of ‘Pleasure and Pain’. Throughout my second year in Z block we were encouraged to push the boundaries of representation under the tutelage of our lecturers and technicians. Bear was made using the lost wax technique in bronze casting using an original teddy picked up from a local op shop. My first mould was drying in the sun outside of Z block and was thrown away by the cleaners, so back to the op shop to pick up a second bear which was dipped in hot wax and encased in a plaster mould and then burnt out at high temperature. Under the expert eye of technician, Nick Dorrer, molten bronze was poured into the mould and left to set. Bear was born by sledgehammer. Bear was one of two. The second was an exact latex copy which was handstitched in gold thread and stuffed with recycled pillows. This made it soft, squishy and flesh-like, an exact opposite of the bronze – hard, cold and heavy. Both were exhibited in a wooden chest made by my grandpa which was lined with red velvet. Latex bear deteriorated over time turning a deep amber colour and became brittle and slowly fell apart. Bronze bear lives on in our home above the fireplace.

Z block, for me, was a time of complete escapism and freedom. The large cavernous space allowed my work to become larger than life. Under the guidance of Michael Goldberg and many other amazing lecturers, my work grew from the mundane into the fantastical. I was given permission and encouraged to play, to allow my ideas to evolve into existence which would otherwise only sit in my imagination. For this, I am forever grateful.

I believe this art school celebrated conceptual practice and the facilities to birth these ideas into the world were incredible. It’s really sad that these spaces have all become redundant. Nick Dorrer, chief technical advisor, would always be ready with his logical words of wisdom and tools, even if my idea seemed undoable to everyone else, Nick had the answer and the right tool.

Having the opportunity to work in the studio spaces throughout the night made my creative life accessible, fun and spontaneous, the number of nights we spent working away in the quiet or causing a ruckus racing pallet jacks around was always a laugh. I have formed lifelong relationships and friends from my time in Z block, it was a special space and even now when I meet someone who went there in the 90s there is a twinkle in our eyes thinking of how much freedom and inspiration we had then.