KATE BANAZI: HOW TO COLLABORATE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

I first came across Kate Banazi’s work about 1 year ago, and was instantly struck by her gorgeously layered screen prints. I wanted to find out more about this artist that had quite literally blown me away one Sunday afternoon in Koskelas.

From exhibiting her stunning art across the globe to collaborating with photographers and painters
such as Shawn Theodore in Philly and Diego Berjon in Barcelona this is one talented and busy lady! Kate has also recently produced her own line of printed scarves, and is represented by the Jackie Winter Group.

In person Kate is chatty, welcoming and frankly very funny. Our morning with Kate in her gorgeous Sydenham studio left us feeling pretty inspired.  She had loads of helpful hints for creative’s, for people just starting out or for others well along the way…like me!

Introducing Kate Banazi one of my favourite artists!

How did you fall in love with screen-printing?

“I (studied) fashion. It was something that I just really loved, and then I completely fell out of love with it. It was a really tough business, and I also had a child, so it was a challenge.
I went to work for a good friend who was a screen printer Kate Gibb. She taught me everything, (and that’s when) I fell in love with the process!”

Where do you source your images from?       

“If it’s for commercial illustration I’m usually given imagery, but otherwise it’s my own photography. I much prefer drawing but when I have something in mind I will hunt it down!  (Or otherwise) images like those beautiful NASA photographs obviously I’m never going to get that myself so I’d rather go way out there and use imagery that I wouldn’t be able to get myself.”

Tell us a bit about your beautiful scarves

“It’s translating my work into a different medium. I worked in fashion for so long, that’s my little step back into it.”

You do a lot of collaborations how do those usually pop up for you?

“Ah friends of friends I’ve worked with before. Instagram has been pretty amazing actually I had an art gallery owner from NY contact me. It’s very cool to get that input from complete strangers. Having that sort of interest really drives you forward.”

You also do workshops what’s the best thing about doing them?

“It’s nice to meet new people. It’s nice to put yourself outside of your comfort zone and learn new things. When you do a workshop you meet great people. I’m learning off them as well. It’s great!”
 

How do you stay motivated?

“Well it’s easier for me in the fact that I have commercial jobs too, cause you have to know that you can work fast that you can draw that, or print that or photograph that, that definitely takes the edge off, but when it comes to personal work, well I’ve spent 6 months creating this big body of work, and you think should I show it, should I just rip it up…what should I do with it? I think you just have to put it out there!”

What are some of your goals for the future?

“To be able to contribute back in some way, to be able to have a couple of assistants, to be able to work with under represnted groups to help them be seen and be heard

Where do you like to show your work?

“I like group shows. I like the juxtaposition of people’s work together. It’s a challenging experience, (because) great curators are hard to come by….
…As women we need to be braver and stronger (and) put more work out there!”
 

What’s your best advice for aspiring artists!

“What’s interesting about Sydney is that the supports there. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I help people all the time. I don’t know that I’m not going to need their help. Just because they’re a student in college now whose to say that in 2 years time I’m not going to go to them and apply for a job (one day)-It can happen.
Ask for help from everybody.
Send it out there!”

Do you do free projects

““I still get it “hey there’ll be no budget, but it’ll be really great exposure”. Sometimes it’s a real pleasure to do those things. Sometimes it’s just taking the piss. You have to learn when to say no, and when to say “ah this could be really good fun”…. embrace challenges!””…

…I only do stuff that I enjoy doing now.
What’s the point in having all this space to make stuff if you don’t enjoy what your doing?”     

Like all our mentors Kate was generous with her time, and was free with the information that she gave. The thing that stood out to me the most was when Kate spoke about asking for help. It’s something that I didn’t do a lot of in the early part of my career to my detriment, as sharing creative  info and collaborating is one of the best ways to make amazing things happen!

Thanks so much for having us KATE BANAZI we’re all looking forward to seeing what you do next!! XX

Thanks to Kate Banazi www.katebanazi.com  @katebanazi

Photography by www.thelightcatcher.com.au

Follow more of my blogs and art at www.miaoatley.com.au    @miaoatley