Cate Maddy

Cate Maddy is an Australian artist whose work revisits the traditional still life genre while exploring contemporary themes of movement, stillness, and the intricate relationships between objects and people. Her paintings often draw on the Vanitas tradition, using rich, sumptuous colours to evoke emotions and reflect on the excesses of modern life.
Influenced by the natural world surrounding her studio, which is nestled in bushland, Cate’s process has evolved over time, but her fascination with colour and movement remains central to her practice. With a focus on creating energy and flow in her compositions, Cate's layered oil paintings are built upon acrylic washes, allowing the under-colour to peek through her dynamic brushstrokes.
Cate's art is deeply personal, rooted in her connections to nature, the environment, and the relationships we form with people and things. After a transformative life change and relocation, she began to paint directly from the native garden she planted, finding inspiration in the natural beauty around her. Her work, which often incorporates elements from her eclectic collections of objects, such as native flowers, driftwood, and pebbles, invites viewers to reflect on the emotional complexities and relationships that shape our world.
Cate’s art has been exhibited internationally, with notable recognition including being a finalist for the Kennedy Prize and participating in the RMIT Art Tour to New York.