Photographer Kate Beatty exhibits labour of love

Kate Beatty’s new collection of work, simply entitled, ‘This is a Story about Love‘ is a daring yet subtle, personal yet universal expression of the highs and lows of love and is an honest and candid one that makes for a beautiful set of pictures.

This set of pictures sees four women, including Kate herself, portraying the different seasons of the classic love story narrative. Pink blossom, green lush landscapes on a summer’s day with models freely basking in the sunshine is juxtaposed against images of autumnal bare branches, using night time shots and limp, demoralised poses. The use of nature’s natural springtime flourish as well as its inevitable ‘fall’ makes for some really symbolic imagery, with flowers and starkness providing an easy to read tale of eventual heartbreak.

The use of models is significant, as is the symbolism Beatty uses within the shots. Kate opted for using close friends who knew where she was coming from with the project and could also relate to its natural evolution. The photographs were taken on a very instinctive and creative level, using strong independent women as models and a large element of self portraiture. The same dress is worn in all of the photos, and it is Kate’s eye for detail and use of colour that really helps make these photos what they are. This exhibition combines subconscious symbolism that can only come from letting go, alongside beautiful composition. It is Kate Beatty’s combination of trained skill and unashamed gut instinct that has produced such a great collection. This is a benchmark for her future work, and after what I am sure was a terrifying experience to shoot from the heart and lay her soul bare, feedback suggests she is definitely along the right track to making some truly artistic and meaningful work.

The exhibition itself saw a great turn out, with Kate Beatty showcasing her work at Fazeley Studios, a venue which in itself exudes an air of California, despite being plonked in the centre of Digbeth. The Substrakt team simultaneously launched their new offices, complete with fantastic new wall murals designed in house by the small but prolific team of graphic artists and web experts that make up their innovative company. Joint owner of Substrakt, Andy Hartwell played the perfect host as he met and greeted a crowd which were made up by ‘movers and shakers’, supporters, clients and friends. Kate Beatty’s exhibition was set in a stark but beautiful room down the hallway from the offices she shares with the Substrakt team, and provided a great contrast from the chatty coincidental networking event taking place, the photographs generally causing a contemplative hush amongst the viewers. Bright Size Gypsies, Jibbering DJs and  Bull’s Head’s Deano Ferrino played in the Substrakt room, whilst the Love exhibition was accompanied by smooth old soul, providing a great backdrop for Kate Beatty’s pictures. A great party to celebrate two launches in style. Guests were treated to Sabai Sabai food, great tunes and a positive message about Birmingham’s future.