Jacky Winter is pleased to announce Reverist – a new collection of works by Kat Macleod, observing the human form in a state of reflection, contemplation and in search of space. Drawing on her favourite themes – the female figure and botanic shapes, Kat explores the process of being deep in thought and lost in space.

My new collection of drawings began as a study of the human form in a state of contemplation. This ‘state of reverie’ became a very interesting theme to explore, as I am well known to daydream myself. Lucky for me I find this fanciful state of reflection is an important and inspiring part of my creative process. In an attempt to justify the amount of time spent gazing out the window into the garden, lost in thought, I have discovered that when I’m daydreaming, new ideas appear and develop. They thrive without the stifling restrictions, doubts and the mundane reality of planning and executing them in the real world.

While reverie in itself is an intriguing concept, I have found it equally as fascinating to observe the way the human body behaves in a state of deep-thought and contemplation. The unconscious way we use our hands and move our bodies, these gentle gestures play an important role in our thought processes, and are inspiring mannerisms to sketch - the touch of fingertips to the face, collarbone, or absent-minded tugging on a strand of hair. I have observed that when we are lost in thought, which is a seemingly still and private process, we often continue to interact with something very real - a cup, a leaf, a book. Our eyes also play an intriguing role. Where does our gaze fall when we are in a state of reverie?

Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote his (unfinished) book of essays, Reveries of a Solitary Walker, as he wandered around Paris gazing at plants and daydreaming. He observed that ‘the meditative spirit may always find in nature something responsive to its mood’¹ and his dreamy walks sparked ‘brilliant ‘flights of thought’ on life and nature’.² I feel connected to these sentiments, drawing great inspiration from my own walks in nature.

Inspired by the human form in a state of thought, I created the collection of large scale drawings on paper, using paint, pencil, hand stitching and glass beads. I am also releasing a new range of custom prints on linen, which are in very limited editions of 5 per print, with hand-finished details on each piece. I look forward to sharing this new collection of drawings and prints.

Kat Macleod is a Melbourne-based artist, illustrator and a graphic designer. Her instantly recognisable illustrations feature gestural botanic shapes, line drawings of the female form. She favours a mixture of mediums; particularly watercolour, pencil, stitched threads, and collaged fabrics and beads. She is endlessly inspired by the botanical world, fashion & textiles, and the drawings of her three young boys.

Kat’s illustrations have appeared in Chinese Vogue, Numero Tokyo, The Age, Delicious Magazine and Vogue Entertaining & Travel. Working across a range of commercial and fine art projects, her client list features Tiffany & Co, Heide Museum of Modern Art, The Australian Ballet, Myer and Bonds. She has also illustrated several local and internationally released books: Bird, The Cocktail, Sequins & Sequence, and Michi Girl’s Like I Give a Frock, What on Earth Are You Wearing? and Le Shop Guide. Kat has had 4 solo exhibitions over the past 10 years, and been involved in a number of group shows.

¹Will Durant (1967). The Story of Civilization Volume 10: Rousseau and Revolution. Simon & Schuster. p. 886.
²PD Smith (2011). Reveries of the Solitary Walker by Jean-Jacques Rousseau – review.