Kate Constantine

Konstantina (Kate Constantine) is a proud Gadigal woman of the Eora nation and a neo- contemporary Indigenous artist. She is re-imagining the traditions of her peoples’ dot painters and providing a modern narrative for all Australians to better understand First Nations People as part of the fabric of Australia.

As a descendant of the Gadigal people, she is passionate about her Language, Culture and histories, much of which have been lost, misplaced or manipulated since the dawn of colonisation. Through her extensive research Kate is truth telling the real histories of her people and is actively involved in revitalising the Gadigal language via her collaboration with Sydney University to breathe life into the original language of the Eora Nation.

Her artwork tells of these histories, connecting to Country, and directly relates the struggles, inspiration, challenges and daily turmoil she feels at being a mum, a storyteller, a creative, a woman and above all a connected Aboriginal person to the land, the animals and spirit of our Country into her modern contemporary take on a time honoured tradition of dot painting.

Using acrylics, ochre, natural pigments and sticks found on mother Earth she sits quietly for hours producing works on paper, canvas and at scale for public art projects. She now resides with her husband and three young children on Bundjalung Country where she is inspired by the nature that surrounds her and her sons.

Kate is a Director of the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia, which represents interests of all Aboriginal Artists and Galleries.

Selected Solo Exhibitions
2022 ‘Ngawiya Ngubadi’ - Sidney Nolan Trust, The Rodd, Herefordshire. UK
2022 ‘Raining On Eora’ - Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney. NSW
2021 ‘Negative Space’ - Ninbella Gallery, Bangalow. NSW
2020 ‘The Caste Collection’ - Ninbella Gallery, Bangalow. NSW
2019 ‘Blak Enough’ - Ninbella Gallery, Bangalow. NSW
2019 ‘Colour Correction’ - Tweed Regional Gallery Annex, Murwillumbah. NSW

Selected Group Exhibitions
2022 ‘Connection’ - National Museum of Australia, Canberra. ACT
2022 ‘Tjukurpa’ - Aboriginal Art Galleries UK, London.
2021 ‘Finalist Exhibition, Byron Art Prize’ - Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Ballina. NSW
2020 ‘Here I Am: Art by Great Women’ - Ambush Gallery, Darling Quarter, Sydney.
2020 ‘A Vision of Country: Australian Aboriginal Landscapes’ - Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney. NSW
2020 ‘Colours of Spring’ - Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney. NSW
2020 ‘East Coast Matters’ - Kate Owen Gallery, Sydney. NSW

Public Works/Commercial
2022 Australian Passport Office Reception Mural and meeting room artworks
2022 Baker McKenzie, Sydney. Acknowledgment of Country plaque and artwork
2022 Liberty Finance Office, Melbourne murals and decals
2022 While You Were Sleeping, ANU Canberra in conjunction with National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
2021 Central Station Hoarding Project, Sydney
2020 Chris O’Brien Lighthouse, YouCan Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney. Mural and Artwork
2020 National Office Anglican Church, Sydney. Boardroom Artwork
2018 Byron Shire Council Laneway project, Byron Bay. Mural
2017 Lane Cove Council rejuvenation project, Lane Cove. Mural

Awards & Recognition
2022 Arts In The Valley - Finalist
2021 Art Lovers Australia Prize - Finalist
2021 Ocean Shores Art Expo - Finalist (highly commended)
2021 BAM, Byron Art Prize - Finalist
2021 The Voice Australia, Artwork & visuals for Grand Finale
2021 Keynote speaker, inaugural TEDx Byron Bay. Theme ‘the space between’
2021 Member of Indigenous Art Steering Committee for Waverley Council
2021 Art Lovers Australia Prize - Finalist
2020 BAM, Byron Art Prize - Semi finalist
2020 Border Art Prize, Tweed Regional Gallery - Finalist (highly commended)

Representation
Kate Owen Gallery, Rozelle, Sydney, NSW Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art, Nagambie, VIC Aboriginal Art Galleries, QVB, Sydney, NSW
Arts d’Australie, St Germaine, Paris, France