Exhibition: 5th - 27th September
opening reception Saturday 5th 12.30pm
Kate Owen Exhibition & Workshop
This September, The Kin Kin Hotel is delighted to present a special exhibition of new works for sale by acclaimed Northern NSW artist Kate Owen, alongside an intimate painting workshop inviting guests into her vibrant creative world.
Celebrated for her joyful use of colour and expressive mark-making, Kate's paintings feel perfectly at home within the richly layered interiors of the hotel. Both artist and place share a common language—one that embraces colour, craftsmanship and the beauty of the natural world.
Represented by Wentworth Galleries in Sydney and Brisbane, Kate has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions throughout Australia. Her work is held in private collections across Australia and internationally, admired for its optimism, movement and emotional depth.
Working from her purpose-built studio overlooking the rolling farmland of Northern New South Wales, Kate draws inspiration from wildflowers, fungi, cacti and the Australian landscape. These organic forms become semi-abstract explorations of memory, connection and community.
Her process is deeply intuitive. Beginning with observation, photography and sketching, Kate allows each painting to evolve organically from memory rather than direct representation. Often working on several large canvases simultaneously—or laying them across the studio floor so she can move freely around them—she paints with sweeping, expressive gestures that preserve the physical joy and spontaneity of making. Layers of acrylic, graphite, oil pastel and luminous oil sticks create richly textured works that invite viewers to pause and look closer.
Kate Owen At The Kin Kin Hotel
Throughout September, guests are invited to experience this remarkable collection within the unique setting of The Kin Kin Hotel, where art, design and hospitality come together in celebration of place.
For those wishing to explore Kate's creative practice more deeply, a special one-day workshop will be held on Friday 4 September.
Through intuitive painting, expressive mark-making and playful experimentation, participants will discover Kate's approach to colour and composition before gathering for a seasonal sharing lunch—a day designed to inspire creativity, conversation and connection.
"I first discovered Kate's work quite by accident. I'd wandered into a Sydney gallery to see another artist, only to find myself completely captivated and purchasing one of Kate's paintings instead! There is something so compelling about the fine line she walks between whimsy, colourful abstraction and representation. Her work invites you to look a little longer, revealing layers of colour, movement and emotion with every new glance.
I'm absolutely thrilled that Kate has created an entire new body of work for the exhibition atThe Kin Kin Hotel. Seeing these paintings hung within our colourful heritage interiors is very moving.
Whether you're discovering Kate's work for the first time, participating in her workshop or have admired her paintings for years, I hope this workshop and exhibition double act sparks curiosity, inspires creativity and perhaps even tempts you to take home an original piece from this special collection."
— Ellie Ezrine, Interior Designer & Co-owner, The Kin Kin Hotel
