Kate Hadley “Linear” art exhibition

Kate Hadley (b. 2001) is originally from the Wollondilly region of New South Wales, and is currently practicing in Sydney. Her practice is driven by a longing to retain a sense of wonder and curiosity that is central to childhood experiences. Drawing from her archive of family photos, she explores the presence and absence of memory, focusing on themes of identity, temporality and nostalgia using oil paint. Times of transition, such as weddings, birthdays, holidays and other forms of social gathering and celebration are common subjects of her paintings as she explores how these secular rituals shape individual and collective identity.

Tone and transparency are central to her process as she investigates the tension between the clarity of these nostalgic rituals and milestones alongside the inadequacy of the memory itself. Her work is a melancholic reflection of times past, where tone and transparency become a vehicle for memory and the transience of human experiences.

In 2025, Hadley completed her Bachelor of Fine Art degree at National Art School, with an emphasis in painting. Her works have been shown in various selected group exhibitions highlighting emerging artists including Fresh and Found at Scratch Art Space (Marrickville, 2025), New Year Fresh Canvas at Goodspace Gallery (Chippendale, 2025), The Grad Show at National Art School (Darlinghurst 2025), and most recently New Frontiers at Stala Contemporary in Perth. She was also the recipient of the Harvey Galleries National Art School Exhibition prize in 2025.

Hadley is currently undertaking her postgraduate studies at National Art School completing her Bachelor of

Fine Art (Honours).