Kent artist Karen Streatfeild graduated from the University of Wales in 1995 with a BA(Hons) degree in Graphic Art. Since moving back to her home county she has exhibited in many locations in East Kent.
During the final year of her degree she documented Uskmouth Power Station which was in the process of being shut down. This experience had a large influence on Karen’s future work. She has since been inspired by Industrial Architecture.
‘My work tends to have a sense of drama. I like to record the impressive scale of buildings and industrial structures.’
The American artist Edward Hopper is also a big influence. ‘His townscapes are very theatrical - buildings often take the spotlight and help to tell a story’
Landscape is also an endless inspiration. Again drama is present - for example in the moody, rugged mountains of Scotland. Trees also give structure to a composition, and are present in many of Karen’s landscapes.
Karen loves use of bold colour and is heavily influenced by the Fauvist movement - artists such as Derain or Vlaminck.