Kathy Temin

Kathy Temin (born 1968) is an Australian artist who uses synthetic fur to create sculptural objects and installations.^[1][2] She is represented in a number of public collections in Australia and New Zealand and is a professor and Head of Fine Art at Monash University in Melbourne.^[3]

Kathy Temin
Born	1968
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Sculptor

Artistic Practice

Temin has described how exposure to her father's work as a tailor work helped her to learn the sewing and craft techniques that she later utilised in her art.^[4] Temin predominantly works with faux fur.^[5] Temin says that she uses this fabric, which is associated with children's toys, to generate an emotional response.^[4] Writing on Frieze.com, Kit Wise has described the appearance of her sculptural works as "roughly cobbled together or misshapen, deliberately undercutting any idealism associated with the art object and positing instead something far more anxious and awkward."^[6] Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald on the Royal Academy of Arts show "Australia" in London, esteemed Australian art critic John MacDonald referred to Temin's work simply as "three large furry things."^[7]

Temin has also worked with other textiles such as felt.^[8]

Notable works

Temin's work 'My Monument: White Forest’ ^[9] in QAGOMA's collection drew the attention of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian when searching for inspiration for an installation for their annual Christmas party.^[10] Kardashian and West contacted Temin through her dealer, Anna Schwartz Gallery, and commissioned Temin to create a "sculptural landscape" in their home.^[11] Kardashian described the works as "a winter wonderland Whoville", whilst Ashley Greeg described them as "fuzzy Whoville beanbags" in reference to scenes from the famous children's author Dr. Seuss.^[12]

Temin has also done a series of works about the Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, and the phenomenon of fandom culture.^[13]

Public collections

• Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
• Gold Coast City Art Gallery, Brisbane
• Govett Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth
• Monash University Gallery Collection, Melbourne
• Queensland Art Gallery,^[14] Brisbane
• University of Wollongong, Wollongong

References

1. Nelson, Robert (14 January 2016). "Howard Arkley and Friends: following the lines across suburbia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
2. Fink, Hannah. "Explore the work of Australian artist, Kathy Temin". Vizard Foundation Art Collection. University of Melbourne - Potter Museum of Art. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
3. "Monash Art Design and Architecture - Professor Kathy Temin". Monash University. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
4. Grey, Tim (12 October 2015). "Fuzzy Memory: Melbourne sculptor Kathy Temin's plush fur sculptures represent a harder, darker history". Broadsheet. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
5. "New Sculpture by Caroline Rothwell and Kathy Temin". Newcastle Art Gallery. 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
6. Wise, Kit (1 April 2008). "Kathy Temin". Frieze (114). Archived from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
7. MacDonald, John (19 September 2013). "Australia's London art spectacular is a 'clumsy embarrassment'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
8. Swan, Amelia (3 August 2009). "Kathy Temin at Heide Gallery". Arts Hub. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
9. "My Monument: White Forest 2008". collection.qagoma.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
10. "Prominent Australian artist transforms Hollywood home into white fantasy forest". Art, Design and Architecture. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
11. "Prominent Australian artist transforms Hollywood home into white fantasy forest". Art, Design and Architecture. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
12. Penrose, Nerisha (2 December 2018). "Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's Winter Wonderland Christmas Party Cost About $1.3 Million". Elle. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
13. Carsel, Casey (2019). "Kathy Temin". Ocula. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
14. "Temin, Kathy - QAGOMA Collection Online". Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2017.