Outside In

Ever since I came to England I felt like someone was guiding me. I got a place at the MMU just before the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009 before I even passed the IELTS, which is a requirement for foreign students. I have always been a team player with leadership skills, but the language and culture barrier I encountered wouldn’t let me socialise with other students. And there was the job I had to go to, to pay my rent and cover all expenses, which some of my tutors didn’t seem to understand… I completed my foundation degree in Poland, where strong skills and perfectionism are mandatory for all artists. Here in England I've always had problems with switching between skills and themes - the idea behind the work seems to be the most important thing in creative practice (as long as you can communicate that your practice has a purpose, that it’s heading somewhere and you refer to something, the art world accepts you).  On my course I completed many projects to themes I didn’t enjoyed at all, but I knew I had to pass… I pretended to  be driven and inspired by subjects, but the only thing I really liked was the practical experimentation with new techniques. It was never about the paper, like my tutor said, with me there has always been about my ambition. The more walls I had to break through the stronger, more self confident and conscious of my practice I became.

Looking for inspiration I completed “Pathways into Arts for Health” at the MMU and with help and mentoring of Clive Parkinson, Director of Arts and Health at the MMU I became an UnLtd Social Entrepreneur Catalyst Award Winner in 2010.

Individual project and commission in Central Manchester University Hospitals drew me to the subject of colour: reduction of anxiety, positive distraction from traumas and pleasant surroundings are just a few ways to count in which colours have impact on human psyche. Central to my practice is the work I have done in conjunction with Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Lime Arts, King’s Fund and Arts for Health at the MMU, which increased my wonder at the inherent power of colour.

My paintings explore the unexpected dynamic processes of fluid paint travelling on a flexible surface as a symbol of life, energy and nature. Manipulation of the moving image is the most exciting part of this process; it involves proactive forcing new directions and reacting to what is happening on the surface. The flexible surface allows the paints to flow and mix with each other in a way that is dynamic and mysterious. The spontaneous nature of this process results in every image being unique.

With a distinctive eye for detail and an inherent understanding of colours, I am able to instinctively create environments that promote wellbeing and fascinating pieces which challenge the viewers’ perception.
I am a member of North West Arts and Health Network, King’s Fund EHE Network, Matt Roberts and a board member of Creative Hands Foundation.

www.artsforhealth.org/students/

www.artslant.com/global/artists/show/176130-kate-jablonska

www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/stuart/StudentArt/ast_id/91048/Kate+Jablonska