Timeline

Cathy Watkins, who now lives in Cornwall, defies the hefty artistic legasy of St Ives by drawing inspiration from material of a apparently more whimsical nature, that of childrens toys. In particular she has focussed on the study of sexualised toys such as the Bratz dolls and Barbie. In fact for the artists these toys have come to symbolise the corrosive way in which the female form is presented within our culture. Poor Barbie is unable to stand unaided and is incapable of closing her legs while sitting. The artist depicts her in all her ridiculousness, humourously but always with pity. Cathy studied at Portsmouth College of Art 1979-1981 and at Goldsmith’s College of Art 1981- 1984. She has produced work in a variety of media and exhibited widely. London venues include The Photographer’s Gallery, The Royal Academy, Cork Street and The Royal College. She has received a variety of awards as well as being nominated for the prestigeous Whitechapel award. Since moving to Cornwall in 2003 she has continued to exhibit her work in London and Cornwall.