Kate Sweeney produces drawing, animation, video works and writing to explore how familial bonds are formed beyond the materials and myths of blood and DNA. Her work utilises moments and materials from the everyday to focus upon the way bodies transfer and share information, emotions, feelings and histories.

Kate uses her studio-based practice and research to also inform collaborative and participatory projects in academic, educational and community settings.

Kate draws upon her feminist and queer activism as well as being informed by cultural discourses surrounding queer kinship and LGBT+ history. Her practice is often located in and around archives, libraries and other sites of cultural repository and memory as well as being shaped and informed by her own lived experiences.

CV

Kate’s recently published artist’s book, the wings of a moth without the moth-bit in between was produced by Women Artists of the North East Library.

Kate’s most recent video works, HairBrush and To Be Two have screened nationally and internationally as part of Barcelona Short Film Festival, Zebra Film Festival in Berlin, Manchester Animation Festival, AnimaTricks in Helsinki.

Her most recent commissioned video works, made with poet Linda France, Startling and Murmuration screened at the Durham Book Festival as well as featuring in numerous online publications including The Marginalian, Arts Professional and Climate Fringe COP26. Murmuration was also shortlisted for a Saboteur Award 2021.

Kate is currently a Research Associate at Newcastle University and has previously taught Fine Art, Animation and lectured in the intersections between artist moving image and poetry. She completed her PhD – Janet: The Shape of the Hidden, utilising video practice as a research tool in literary archives – at Newcastle University in December 2020.

Skills & Experience

Animation
DBS Checked
Technical: photographic / moving image
Technique tuition: moving image
Visiting lecturer (FE)
Visiting lecturer (HE)
Workshops (family / general)
Workshsops (adult)