I was raised in a very small town on Lake Huron in Canada. Coming from an environment of vast farm lands and a constantly shifting shoreline was extremely formative for me creatively. I never had television when I was a kid, so I spent a lot of time in the woods, in the water, or in a book. My grandpa drew crude comics in the style of Mad Magazine, my mom owned a clothing store, and my dad ran a restaurant. Everybody around me was always making something, or promoting aesthetics in some way. I attribute my need to be an artist to my family, and to the natural landscape I was born into.

My work often stems from a very personal space. I am obsessed with genealogy, with pasts; where we come from and how it shapes the multitude of selves we all possess. In this way I self-analyze (such as the case of my self portraits to do with having epilepsy). And I examine others, too. When I first picked up a camera and realized I could create my own unique perceptions of virtually anything, I was exhilarated.

When making my work I am always thinking about people as ever-evolving, the same way that nature is. These days I am focusing on considering my process that way, too. I am itching to try new things, explore new skills. I want to make a mess.

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Please visit Kate Bullen’s website at http://www.katebullen.com.

Kate’s work will be shown at the following AIB senior show next Friday:

Marrow Mending
BFA Photography Reception
Friday, April 30, 6-8pm
Tiffany Ulrich, Liz Affa, Kate Bullen, Malin Sjoberg
601 Newbury Street Gallery