Kate Bohunnis’ practice is conceptually rigorous and technically resolved, with an inventive approach to materials and a focus on gender, identity and queer methodologies. In recent projects, Bohunnis has turned their attention to the complexities and trappings of pleasure, from a personal and neuroscientific standpoint. They are also interested in spiritualism as a vehicle for exploring family history and inventive methods of psychological support. In form, Bohunnis’ work often leans toward the abject as a way of negotiating bodily and political identities. They are known for producing pared back, large-scale sculptural installations using metals in contradictory and deliberate dialogue with wax, silicone, latex, leather and textiles. Their works are often highly charged with allusions to power, dominance, subjugation and containment.
Bohunnis has received significant acclaim in their career so far, most notably as the winner of the 2021 Ramsay Art Prize, Australia’s premier prize for emerging artists. Bohunnis was also recipient of an Arts SA 2022 Fellowship, and awarded the Eran Svigos Award for Best Visual Art, Adelaide Fringe (2020); South Australian Graduate Award, Helpmann Academy (2020); David Hayden Professional Development Award (2018); Watson Award (2017); and the Arts Excellence in Printmaking Award, Adelaide College of the Arts (2016).
fill me up and make me useful
2021
installation view
an active accumulation
2020
stainless steel
360 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm
an active accumulation (between)
2020
stainless steel, velvet, faux fur, linen, thread
143.5 x x187.0 x 3.8 cm
an active accumulation (1300 metres)
2020
an active accumulation (1300 metres
360.0 x 11.4 x 11.4 cm
edges of excess
2020
stainless steel, aluminium, silicone, electronic mechanism
installation view, Ramsay Art Prize, 2021, Art Gallery of South Australia
Material Girls
2020
installation view, praxis ARTSPACE
strong house // soft walls
2018
aluminium, steel, paraffin wax, jelly wax, soy wax, dye
installation view
edge of excess
2020
stainless steel, aluminium, silicone, electronic mechanism
installation view, Ramsay Art Prize, 2021, Art Gallery of South Australia
with each little death
2019
stainless steel, latex, cotton thread
installation view
fill me up and make me useful
2021
stainless steel, faux fur, corduroy, chiffon, rope, latex, plastic beads
installation view
too soft too opulent
2021
stainless steel, faux fur, rope and plastic beads
358 x 93 x 130 cm
helpless at best
2021
stainless steel, faux fur, latex, corduroy, chiffon, rope and plastic beads
246 x 357 x 205
an active accumulation (tense)
2020
latex, stainless steel
350 x 100 x 1.2 cm
fill me up and make me useful
2021
stainless steel, faux fur, linen, rope, leather, latex and cotton
210.0 x 201.0 x 155.0 cm
fill me up and make me useful
2021
stainless steel, faux fur, linen, rope, leather, latex and cotton
210.0 x 201.0 x 155.0 cm
with each little death #3
2020
stainless steel
230.0 x 90.0 cm
with each little death
2019
stainless steel
installation view, BLINDSIDE