Gallery
Recent Works
2023 – 2026
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Welcome to
Cath Williams
Capturing the random, chaotic and fragile world
we are privileged to inhabit
2023 – 2026
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51 paintings
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People and moments
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Cath Williams is an artist whose creative journey is deeply influenced by her upbringing in Aotearoa/New Zealand during the 1960s and '70s. This rich cultural and natural environment has played a pivotal role in shaping her work — a profound connection to both her heritage and the landscapes that surrounded her.
Artists such as Ralph Hotere and Rita Angus instilled in Cath a sense of art practice by which she seeks to reflect back to the viewer a sense of self and place.
Cath moved to Melbourne, Australia in 1986 where she was influenced by her friend and artist Ellen Jose, along with her exposure to a plethora of great Australian artists such as Fred Williams. Victoria was called the Garden State in the 80s but the ever-present threat of fire in rural communities, the rugged bush, Great Ocean Road coast and mountains around Victoria all impact on Cath's varied approaches to her landscapes.
Cath is a happily aging artist whose concerns relate to how we live and care for each other and our environment. Her primary artistic expression is to use colour and texture to capture the random, chaotic and fragile world we as humans are privileged to inhabit.
Self Portrait, 1990s
Cath and her partner Phil built a gallery called Quinch Art onto their Melbourne home which operated from 2010 to 2013, offering a display of artworks exploring Cath's cultural and personal narratives.
Quinch worked with 18 wonderful local artists providing a range of diverse media including photography, sculpture, jewellery, pottery, glass, fabric and paintings.
Relocating to Aotearoa/New Zealand in 2013 to care for their parents, the gallery closed as a business. Cath was once again influenced by her environment, creating work that reflected the softer green and yellow hues of the landscape.
Cath and Phil returned to Australia in 2023. Their Melbourne home space now serves as a studio for Cath's painting and other creative endeavours. Quinch Art is now a virtual space for people to enjoy Cath's art.
Cath uses oil on canvas, collage, thread and more recently oil and cold wax on board to create textures that capture the contrasts of chaotic undergrowth, ocean horizons, through to distant mountains.
She has developed a spontaneous application of paint and mediums — fingers, spatulas, rollers and material. Paint is removed and areas reworked in response to patterns that emerge. As a work develops, she focuses on small areas of colour to provide depth and scale, building the layers found in all landscapes.
Cath's intention is to illustrate our connectedness to the world we live in and our responsibility for resource depletion, consumerism and climate change. Her connection with both Australia and New Zealand continues — she finds a surprising degree of commonality in her landscapes, many of which are indistinguishable in regard to their country of origin, in this fragile world.
"In reality the ever-present threat of fire, coastal erosion and the loss of native vegetation affects both my homes. There is a surprising degree of commonality in both landscapes — in this fragile world."
Northart Gallery, Auckland
This collection reflects the two distinct yet surprisingly similar environments that inform Cath's landscapes. Having lived in Australia and New Zealand she is continually inspired by the beauty of both countries.
A group show featuring Jo Dalgety, Cath Williams, Karenna Mollard and Suzanne Vesty.
This exhibition was in response to the growing bigotry, racism and paranoia evident in global politics.
Melbourne, Australia
From 2010 to 2013, the physical Quinch Art Gallery operated from Cath and Phil's Melbourne home — a dedicated space showcasing 18 local artists across photography, sculpture, jewellery, pottery, glass, fabric and paintings.
Following a decade in Aotearoa/New Zealand, the gallery has found its new life as a virtual space. The spirit of Quinch Art lives on here — a place for people to discover, enjoy and connect with Cath's work.
Contact Cath