Katie Knoeringer
Space, color, and shape drive my work. I make painted paper collages based on observational drawings. I’m interested in capturing the truth of the moment, and my interaction with the space occupied by the figure. Rather than having people pose for me, I prefer to watch them engaged in an activity. When I approach a new subject, I make many gestural drawings and more drawings of the space in my sketchbook. I construct my collages directly from the drawings. In the absence of the subject, color and specificity become dictated by the needs of each composition according to space and contrast. Negative and positive shapes are equivalent powers. I build them up simultaneously (rather than laying down a ground first and working on top of it). This allows the image to grow organically and meander around towards its eventual outer bounds.
I walk and ride my bike when I’m outside drawing to afford myself a slow-paced, intimate interaction with my environment. This practice of being present helps me notice idiosyncrasies within spaces. In my work, I’m used to putting myself outside in public spaces. Since about seven years ago, my drawing practice has been about observable space. This almost always leads to people stopping to talk to me and see what I’m working on. I’ve gained a lot of local history this way. I made a series of house drawings in Northern Philadelphia that brought me to sit on sidewalks and stoops. I’ve learned about the businesses that used to occupy the neighborhood, previous inhabitants of houses, and current occupants. I’ve talked to construction workers, dog walkers, the unhoused, elderly people, and children. All have their own interesting perspectives. My work continues with a heightened focus on the figure. I like to draw people until the shapes of the figure, a certain stance or posture, become familiar. So that if someone knew my subject, they would recognize them without a portrait being part of the work.
Tour & Talk with Katie Knoeringer
Katie Knoeringer's most recent solo exhibition was held December 6, 2023 - January 14, 2024. A selection of her work is currently available at the gallery as indicated. For inquiries on all other works shown, please Contact Us.
Putty Car on Blue, painted paper collage, 14" x 11" Available
Pete's Plants (2), painted paper collage, 7" x 5" Available
Tree, painted paper collage, 10" x 8" SOLD
Pets and Plants 2 (Round Flat), painted paper collage, 10" x 8" Available
Pets and Plants 1 (Blue Cat), painted paper collage, 10" x 8" Available
Beach Baby, painted paper collage, 7" x 5" Available
Pets and Plants (Double Cats), painted paper collage, 14" x 11" Available
Pets and Plants (Gray Cat), painted paper collage, 11" x 14" SOLD
Pets and Plants (Yellow Sun), painted paper collage, 8" x 10" SOLD
Pets and Plants (Beast), painted paper collage, 8" x 10" Available
Pets and Plants (Jagged), painted paper collage, 14" x 11" Available
Pets and Plants (Violet), painted paper collage, 10" x 8" Available
Pets and Plants (Hanging Pot), painted paper collage, 14" x 11" Available
Tractor and Gourd, painted paper collage, 14" x 11" Available
Shadow with Yellow Leaves, painted paper collage, 8" x 10" Available
Creature of Habit 4, painted paper collage, 38" x 31" Available
Creature of Habit 6, painted paper collage, 21.5" x 17" Available
Creature of Habit 5, painted paper collage, 36" x 31" Available
December 17th, painted paper collage, 30.5" x 25" SOLD
Winter Squash, painted paper collage, 30" x 23" Available
Money Tree (2), painted paper collage, 27.5" x 20" Available
Money Tree, painted paper collage, 20" x 16" Available
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A selection of work from Katie's previous exhibition is available as indicated below.
Green Crown (with Bean Sprout), painted paper collage, 15" x 19" Available
Cat, painted paper collage, 10" x 8" Available
Cat II, painted paper collage, 8" x 10" Available
Sad Girl, painted paper collage, 12" x 11" Available
Green Mirror, painted paper collage, 18" x 15" Available
When You're Sleeping, painted paper collage, 22" x 11" Available
Nightscape I, painted paper collage, 23" x 15" Available
5 am, painted paper collage, 30" x 20" Available
View from the Kitchen, painted paper collage, 15" x 11" Available
Backyards at Night (II), painted paper collage, 21" x 15" Available
Backyards at Night (III), painted paper collage, 28" x 31" Available
Window View with Cactus, painted paper collage and thread, 16" x 11" Available
A.M. Bunkbed, painted paper collage, 7" x 9" SOLD
Blank Slate, painted paper collage, 13" x 11" SOLD
Crown with Olive Oil and Spoon, painted paper collage, 20" x 16" Available
The Baker, painted paper collage, 13" x 11" SOLD
Untitled (Orange Figure), painted paper collage, 9" x 11" Available
Yellow Crown, painted paper collage, 9" x 13" SOLD
Little Window, painted paper collage, 8" x 12" SOLD
Domesticated, painted paper collage, 36" x 40" Available
Summer Shadows (the in-between), painted paper collage, 51" x 48" Available
Threshold, painted paper collage, 52" x 37" Available
Creature of Habit, painted paper collage, 93" x 67" Available
In the Kitchen 2, painted paper collage, 40" x 23" Available
Lemon Verbena, painted paper collage, 22" x 18" SOLD