At The Collage Collective, we believe that every artist has a story, and every story deserves to be celebrated. That’s why we’re so excited to launch our brand-new online series. It’s a heartfelt journey exploring the world of collage art told through word-based interviews.
South Australian collage artist, Kate Cuthbert, has been offering her hand cut collages under the name Satin&Tat since 2015. She creates her minimal collage art using mainly modern materials. With a deep interest in fashion imagery, her process is intuitive, a reaction to the visual noise of modern life. She is guided by balance, restraint and simplicity. Kate’s work has been exhibited both locally and internationally. Her clients include The Wall Street Journal and Ted Baker.
Read the original interview on Instagram below!
The Collage Collective: What got you into collage art? What is your primary type of collage now?
K: I’ve always been creative and made collages, probably because I’m not great at drawing and painting! I studied furniture design and made jewellery but always came back to collage.
I started by making cards for family and friends, then made (private) collage zines about big things going on in my life. In 2014, one of those zines had a page that I ended up sharing with friends and entering in a competition (I did not place!) But I decided to start an Instagram account, @satinandtat.collage, under the safety of anonymity! As I got feedback from other collage artists, I gained confidence, eventually added my name and haven’t looked back since.
Now my primary collage is very different to my more maximalist roots. It’s very minimal, utilising a lot of negative space. The less is more approach, which is much harder to achieve than it looks! I’m love simplicity and the calm it brings.
The Collage Collective: As someone who is open about their MS diagnosis. How has creating art helped with your recovery/ongoing treatment?
K: MS is a progressive disease with no cure. So, it’s been more about trying to learn live with it and adjust to new ‘normals’. It has definitely affected my art. I’m not able to create as much as I used to which makes me more grateful for the times I can. After I was diagnosed I went back to my roots and created a little collage book about my it, which was cathartic.
The Collage Collective: If you could give Little Kate from ten years ago advice, what would it be?
K: You’re going to have to do the things that push you out of your comfort zone. But you’ll be grateful you did them. Keep going, be true to you, put yourself out there and you’ll be amazed how things unfold!
The Collage Collective: Is there any magazine if you could dream of using for collage, what would it be?
K: I love a September issue of US Vogue, but any high end and slightly alternative fashion magazine really pulls me in.
The Collage Collective: Any last tips and tricks you’ve found helped you were starting out?
K: Play around with different types of glue. I think the type you use is a very personal preference (I’m terrible with a glue stick!). There are so many options out there to try.
Also, I was told by a collage artist early on to get a separate flatbed scanner instead of paying for scans- they add up quickly! It doesn’t have to be a fancy one. But it really helps to get good copies of your art and make prints if that’s what you want to do.