experience
This section highlights my accomplishments, engagements, and experiences that have significantly contributed to my professional development and practice.
experience
2025
Degree show
Set up process for the degree show
2024
Soul Souvenirs
Exhibition
2024
Knutsford Lions Millennium Bursary
2025
Paradise works open call.
2025
CV
Competition winner.
Application for open call
Artist CV including
further experience.
degree show
painting the studio space.
To prepare for the degree show, a group of us entered our allocated space. First, we removed all the nails and staples from the walls. After that, we filled the holes with polyfilla and sanded them down. Once the surfaces were primed and ready, we began painting. This required multiple layers, along with constant sanding in between, to ensure the surfaces were clean and crisp for our art pieces to be displayed. Once we completed this and removed all the tables, we also painted the floors for a neat finish.
After results without pieces installed.
As we curated the art show, our group thoughtfully selected a diverse array of sizes and colours for the paintings, ensuring each piece harmonized beautifully with the others. We paid special attention to elements such as height, lighting, and the spacing between artworks, creating a cohesive visual experience. My painting, in particular, thrived in indirect light, yet its vibrant intensity and intricate patterns made it a challenge to pair with complementary works. This complexity added a unique dynamic to the overall display.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Soul Souvenirs
EXHIBITON
15th April 2024 16:00 - 21:00
Reflecting on our journey throughout this unit, we are pleased with the overall success of our exhibition. As painters, we shared a cohesive vision for the type of exhibition we aimed to create, established through extensive group meetings and discussions. Our collaboration proved pivotal for a successful exhibition, fostering effective teamwork and individual contributions.
Opting for a white-cube professional setting, we looked into various event spaces before settling on Saan1, a rentable art gallery located in the heart of Northern Quarter. Its central location made it easy to attend and locate for our friends, family, and fellow art enthusiasts. Leveraging its existing following, social media presence, and connections, we strategically promoted our exhibition, even posting on their Instagram page to widen our reach.
The gallery's versatile space provided us with the creative freedom to curate our work effectively, with adjustable lighting and permission to utilise the walls for display. By measuring dimensions and planning arrangements that worked with our canvas sizes, we optimised the wall space, ensuring an aesthetic flow. Spreading out everyone's work avoided congregation on one floor; and each floor was curated thematically, cultivating coherence and artistic harmony. Considering the viewers perspective and what would interact best with the space. The first floor mainly displaying portraiture, second floor integrating more figurative pieces (notably featuring a predominant blue colour scheme), and top floor with fewer, larger pieces.
Despite encountering a few problems with time constraints which hindered the development of creating a zine and selling prints, we adapted by providing an informative synopsis on our poster and detailed labels for our artwork. With some writing poems and lengthier descriptions. We acknowledge the need for better logistical planning, including transportation considerations and accessibility enhancements. Hiring a van for bigger paintings and choosing a wheel-chair accessible building are aspects we will think about for future projects.
In hindsight, our exhibition journey showed the importance of collaboration, strategic planning, and adaptability. It provided invaluable lessons and insights that will shape and enhance our future artistic pursuits. We were thrilled with the gallery space at Saan1 and delighted with the turnout for our exhibition. The venue was perfect for showcasing our artwork, and seeing our vision come to life in such a vibrant setting was immensely gratifying, and the positive reception from visitors further affirmed the success of our endeavour.
About the artists:
‘Soul Souvenirs’ is a group art exhibition, showcasing individual artworks from Katie Chaplin, Georgie Kenyon, Mia-Renee Okoh, Isabella Osborne, KaveenashPrabagaran and Erin-Leigh Woods. Exploring the intricacies of memory and human interactions, the exhibited work investigates the essence of human connections, in which they shape our beings and identity. The name ‘Soul Souveniers’ derives from the idea of taking and sharing a memory.
​
Katie Chaplin paints with oil on canvas. Through Chaplin’s paintings, she aims to capture the essence of human connection and the warmth of affectionate relationships that she experienced growing up. She uses references from family home images to create a sense of nostalgia.
Georgie Kenyon’s work serves as an act of remembrance, reflecting upon the unseen joys, sorrows and gentle moments that shape our everyday lives. Whether it is a momentary embrace shared by lovers under dappled light or a souvenir of childhood statement, she aims to provide translation to this corner of the mind; giving visual form to lived experiences and faint recollections.
​
Mia-Renee aims to capture the stories of others, projecting their own, unique lived experiences to a world that has previously dismissed their narratives. Her work serves as a demonstration of love, sparking conversations on experiences of love and in turn, what it means to be loved.
​
As an artist Isabella Osborne finds solace in the simplicity of being, in the quiet moments and intimate connections that often go unnoticed or become fleeting moments amidst the ebb and flow of life. Enriched through the exploration of memory and relationships, her artwork stands as a testament to the significance of the seemingly ordinary. Each piece is a reflection on the nature of existence; valuing the power of connection and interaction.
​
Kaveenash Prabagaran’s work offers a glimpse into his memories. His artwork acts as a love letter, a testament to the profound significance of human connections and the transformative power of memory. Each painting reflects moments, emotions and individuals that have left a mark on his own life.
​
Erin-Leigh Woods’ work demonstrates a state of self reflection, showing various fragmented senses of self, through her perception of the contemporary world around her; she takes what she experienced, from memory, renders it, until it becomes a symbolic visual still image. Her recent work depicts that of a domestic narrative, triggering themes of family, transcendence, dissociation and romance, expressing different ideas of vulnerability within these moments.
______________________________________________________________________________________
2024 MILLENNIUM BURSARY winner
In 2024, I applied for and won the Knutsford Lions Millennium Bursary, which is designed to assist students in their third year of studies. I went through interviews and completed a series of applications as part of the process. The prize included a monetary award to support my work. I was a joint winner, sharing the combined first and second prize money with another recipient.
_________________________________________________
Knutsford Town Council and Knutsford Lions are delighted to announce Leo Davies and Katie Chaplin as the joint recipients of the 2024 Knutsford Millennium Bursary.
​
Established in 2000, the Knutsford Millennium Bursary is awarded annually to a deserving Knutsford student pursuing higher education. This year, the selection panel, which comprised Lydia Barclay of Knutsford Lions and Town Mayor Cllr Peter Coan were so impressed by two applicants that they decided to combine the main award of £660 and supplementary award of £250 and share it between two students.
​
Leo Davies, who is undertaking a joint honours degree in Anthropology and English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, said “It’s an absolute honour and privilege to receive this bursary”
“Living in Belfast, this financial support will be essential for my studies. Notably, my research on karate’s cultural impact across the UK will hopefully showcase the dedication and character-building this practice fosters. Thank you so much!”
​
Sharing the award is Katie Chaplin, who is pursuing a Fine Art degree at the Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University.
“I am incredibly grateful for this bursary,” said Katie. “This funding will allow me to pursue further training in art therapy and support the costs of materials and exhibitions in my final year. My passion lies in helping others through art therapy, and this bursary helps me explore this exciting career path.”
​​
Leo Davies
Katie Chaplin
​
Lydia Barclay, representing Knutsford Lions, commented, “All the applicants were a pleasure to meet. Their ambition and innovative ideas shone through. We were particularly impressed by Leo’s research project and Katie’s desire to use art to help others. We felt both applications deserved recognition, so we decided to award a joint bursary this year.”
Knutsford Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Leo and Katie are stellar examples of the talent we have here in Knutsford and I’m greatly looking forward to seeing the incredible things they’ll achieve.”
Leo and Katie each received a bursary of £455 to support their third year university studies. The 2025 bursary will open for applications in January.
______________________________________________________________________________________
application for open call
‘It’s Paradise Up North’ at Paradise Works
​Save the date for our upcoming exhibition, It’s Paradise Up North—a celebration, interrogation, and reimagining of Northern identity. Whether you hail from the North, have a passion for its landscapes and culture, or your work explores the resilience, humour, and raw beauty of Northern grit in unexpected ways, we want to hear from you.
We are seeking submissions across all mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, performance, moving image, and sound. We’re particularly interested in work that challenges traditional Northern narratives, offers fresh perspectives, or reflects on the evolving socio-political landscape of the region.
_________________________________________________
I recently applied for the Paradise Works open call aimed at artists based in the North or with Northern heritage. As an artist based in Manchester, I create work that explores my own family connections to the North, along with many additional ties to the region. Unfortunately, I have not heard back from Paradise Works regarding my application. I had to create an up-to-date CV and an artist statement based on the piece I was submitting.
_________________________________________________
Artist statement
My work delves into the essence of childhood and the powerful role nostalgia plays in shaping our memories. Growing up in a family from greater Manchester, my art reflects the warmth of family, and the emotional weight of a place that is both familiar and ever-changing. I find inspiration in the vivid imagery of my childhood as I seek to convey the deep emotions associated with nostalgia and memory.
Recently, I have ventured into the realm of mixed media, skilfully intertwining photo transfer techniques with a diverse palette of painting styles to create layered and textured collage works. The mixture of portraits capturing intimate moments shared with my siblings, reflecting the joy of our early years, As well as my landscapes, such as the lake district, transport viewers to the enchanting beauty of places. The landscape painting, mixed with imagery, evokes a profound sense of memory, through my art, I strive to encapsulate these rich experiences, inviting others to connect with their own memories of childhood.
My art aims to evoke the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, where memories become more vivid with time yet are always tinged with the realisation that they are no longer fully accessible. By using textures, colour, and form, I seek to recreate the emotional essence of my childhood, while paying homage to the people and the city that shaped who I am today. Ultimately, my work is a tribute to the timelessness of family, memory, and place based in the North
Curriculum vitae
______________________________________________________________________________________
Kate Victoria Chaplin
​
A creative and dedicated student with a strong work ethic and a passion for developing innovative ideas. I bring a professional approach to every project, balancing academic pursuits with real-world experience. Known for my ability to work independently and collaboratively, I am committed to delivering high-quality results while meeting deadlines. With a focus on continuous growth and learning, I aim to combine my creativity with my determination and professionalism to contribute meaningfully in any environment.
​
Experience
SHOP MANGER, KNUTSFORD OLDE SWEETE SHOPPE, KNUTSFORD, CHESHIRE, 2020- PRESENT:
Key holder for a high street shop in Knutsford : Line manage staff, financial control, process orders, ensure immaculate shop presentation including creative window displays , provide a professional and friendly customer service to an array of clients and customers.
​
‘SOUL SOUVENIRS’ EXHITBITON, SAAN 1, MANCHESTER, APRIL 2024:
In April 2024, I led the 'Soul Souvenirs' exhibition at Saan 1 in Manchester, as part of a collaborative project with five other students. The exhibition was centred around the theme of Human Interactions, with our collection of paintings exploring the deep connections between souls that bind us together. I was instrumental to the curation and organisation of the exhibit while engaging with visitors and promoting the exhibition's core message through my artwork. Over 300 guest visited the exhibition.
​
ART RESIDENTIAL WITH PROFESSIONAL ARTIST, FLORENCE , ITALY, MAY 2024:
In May 2024, I had attended a 10-day Renaissance-focused art residential programme in Florence, Italy, led by professional artist Shirley Goodsell. This immersive course included field visits to iconic Renaissance masterpieces, including Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus', Leonardo Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper', and Michelangelo's 'David'. I gained unique experience in onsite sketching and enhanced skills with focused painting techniques and colour workshops, which significantly refined my artistic skills and deepen my understanding of Renaissance art.
​
‘YOUNG ARTISTS IN TUSCANY 2020’ STUDY COURSE:
Accepted onto a young artist residential study abroad in Tuscany, Italy. We put forward a portfolio of our work along with an interview. Unfortunalty the trip never commenced due to COVID-19
​
Education
​
MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERISTY, MANCHESTER, 2021 - 2025 : BA HONS DEGREE :
UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Pass
BA Fine Art: to be determinted
​
Awards
2023 KNUTSFORD LIONS MILLENIUM BURSARY
Winner of an annual award made in partnership with the Knutsford Lions, to assist students who are on a higher education course.