Kate Sechrist is an American textile artist. In 2018, she won a scholarship from the Japanese government, and spent four years participating in the lively contemporary fiber arts scene in Kyoto. She currently lives and works in Portland, Oregon.
With a delicate touch and a sense of whimsy, she uses a wide range of techniques and mediums to make transparent and lacey textile objects and installations. Her current body of work explores the intersection of text, tapestry, and transparency. What are the threads that continue to hold us together, when the shockingly fragile tool of words fail? Through weaving transparent surfaces, layering real and imaginary glyphs, and distorting text, Sechrist attempts to hold space for ambiguity as thing of wonder rather than anxiety.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2022
17th International Triennial of Tapestry, Entangled State, (Juried), Central Museum of Textiles, Lodz, Poland
A False Sense of Security, Gallery Kara-S, Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto Seika University Graduation Exhibition, Gallery Terra-S, Kyoto, Japan
2021
Seven Threads, Gallery Maronié, Kyoto, Japan
Future Tense 2021, (Juried), The Charles W. and Norma C. Carroll Gallery, Huntington, WV USA
毛糸語 • Wool Words, (Solo), Gallery Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
縫いアート展 , Gallery Maronié, Kyoto, Japan
京都精華大学大学院 1 年生研究制作展, Zuiunan, Kyoto, Japan
2020
Textiles 2020, Gallery Maronié, Kyoto, Japan
2019
Ariadne’s Thread, (Solo), Gallery Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
Textile x7, Gallery Maronié, Kyoto, Japan
2018
Communication, Gallery Kara-S, Kyoto, Japan
2017
Coded Threads, Student & Alumni Pop-Up, Western Gallery, Bellingham, WA USA
2016
(un)known, BFA Thesis Exhibition, Western Gallery, Bellingham, WA USA
Ascending Archetypes, Dakota Gallery, Bellingham, WA USA
Due North, Old Cascade Laundry Building, Bellingham, WA USA
Adapting Loves, Mobile Pop-Up Show, Seattle, WA USA
2015
Imprint, Herald Building, Bellingham, WA USA
Organic/Geometric: The Body/Mind, VU Gallery, Bellingham, WA USA
20th Annual Beyond Borders, (Juried) VU Gallery, Bellingham, WA USA
2014
XVIII, B Gallery, Bellingham, WA USA
Transitions, Make.Shift, Bellingham, WA USA
AWARDS, GRANTS, & SCHOLARSHIPS
2022
Chancellor’s Award, Kyoto Seika University Graduation Exhibition
2021
Second Place Award, Future Tense 2021 Juried Student Exhibition, Surface Design Association
2020
Research Student Scholarship, Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
2018
Research Student Scholarship, Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
2016
Outstanding Graduating Senior, Department of Art and Art History, Western Washington University
2015
First Place Award, 20th Annual Beyond Borders Art Exhibition, Associated Students of Western Washington University
Research and Creative Opportunities Grant for Undergraduate Students, Western Washington University
EDUCATION
2022 MFA in Textiles, Kyoto Seika University, Kyoto, Japan
2018 Post Bacc Research Student in Textiles, Kyoto Seika University, Kyoto, Japan,
2016 BFA in Studio Art, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA