Since settling in Glasgow in 1985 when she was 19, Cathy Wilkes has been heavily involved in Glasgow's artistic scene. She was a founding member of the Glasgow Women's Library in 1988 and has been Director of the Wilkes Gallery (1994 -1997) and a member of collaborative partnership, Elizabeth Go (1997 - 2000).
Cathy's practice includes sculpture, painting and writing as well as creating detailed installations that combine each of these artistic elements. Descriptions of her work could easily become lost in describing the individual parts contained within it as Cathy creates work where no one specific object is given more significance than the other.
Speaking about her work, Micky Schubert says: 'I am convinced that the installation speaks differently to me as a woman than it does to a male viewer, to me as a specific, conditioned person different to someone with a different past. We encounter intellect, knowledge and consciousness as well as the sparkling of ideas. Nothing rises to trigger a specific response - each individual must decide for themselves.' Formalismus, Moderne Kunst Heute catalogue (2004)
Cathy's recent exhibitions have included solo projects, Moons at Switchspace, Glasgow; 1/4 Moon at Galerie Giti Nourbakhsch, Berlin; and Daily Schedule at SMAK, Ghent. Installations of her work have been included in Formalismus, Monderne Kunst, Heute at Hamburg Kunstverein; Manifesta 5 at San Sebastien; and L'Air du Temps at Migros Museum, Zurich (2004).
Recent publications are Formalismus, Moderne Kunst, Heute (2004) Hamburg Kunstverein; With all due Intent (2004) Manifesta 5; Exhibition Catalogue 2004: Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin; Exhibition Catalogue Transmission Gallery (2001).
Cathy is represented by The Modern Institute, Glasgow.
