Kate MccGwire is a British, London-based artist renowned for her intricate feather-based artworks that explore themes of duality, beauty, and the natural world. You can explore her mesmerising creations at her solo exhibition Quiver, at Lakeside Arts until 5 January 2026. Here are five fascinating facts about MccGwire and her compelling work...
1. Feathers as a Medium
Feathers are MccGwire’s secret language. Pigeons, roosters, magpies, pheasants — each feather is meticulously and ethically gathered, sorted, and woven into sculptures that feel alive. They shimmer with beauty but hint at something darker, stirring unease beneath their elegance. It’s an alchemy of materials and emotion, turning some of nature’s smallest wonders into monumental statements.
2. Nature’s Child: Inspired by the Norfolk Broads
Kate’s fascination with the dualities and cycles of nature began whilst growing up among the wetlands and wild expanses of the Norfolk Broads. Those childhood moments, steeped in natural beauty and wild waterways, laid the foundation for an art form that breathes alternative life into natural materials.
3. Celebrating Overlooked Materials
MccGwire’s art challenges perceptions by elevating materials often deemed as insignificant or undesirable. She transforms pigeon feathers, considered by some to be disgusting, into intricate sculptures that invite viewers to reconsider notions of beauty and value. Her works, such as DRIFT (2018) and SOMINAL (2019) celebrate these overlooked materials, encouraging a deeper and rethought appreciation for the natural world.
4. International Acclaim
Quiver marks MccGwire’s most extensive UK solo exhibition in recent years. While she has exhibited widely, including at the Saatchi Gallery (London), the Museum of Arts and Design (New York), and the Venice Biennale, this show offers a rare opportunity to see the full breadth of her practice on home soil.
5. Studio on a Dutch Barge
For over a decade, MccGwire has crafted her otherworldly sculptures onboard a centuries-old Dutch barge moored on the River Wey in West London. This unique studio setting reflects her deep connection to nature and the waterways, themes that are central to her work.
See MccGwire’s solo exhibition Quiver at Lakeside Arts from 20 September – 4 January. Free admission.
Kate MccGwire – Lakeside Arts, Nottingham
For more information on MccGwire’s work, please visit her official website: www.katemccgwire.com.
