Cathy de Monchaux facts for kids

Cathy de Monchaux (born 1960) is a British sculptor. She is known for creating unique artworks that combine different materials.

Early Life and Education

Cathy de Monchaux was born in London in 1960. Her father, Paul de Monchaux, was also a sculptor.

She studied art at two well-known schools. From 1980 to 1983, she earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at the Camberwell School of Art. Later, from 1985 to 1987, she completed her Master of Arts (MA) degree at Goldsmiths College, which is part of the University of London.

Artistic Style and Career

Cathy de Monchaux creates sculptures using a variety of materials. These include glass, paper, metal, fur, and leather. Her artworks often mix soft, inviting elements with harder, sometimes spiky parts. This creates a feeling that is both gentle and a little bit challenging.

Combining Different Materials

In her art, Cathy de Monchaux often puts opposite things together. For example, she might use soft fur next to hard metal. This makes her sculptures interesting to look at and think about. Her works from the early 1990s often featured red velvet and steel. These were put together in simple, strong designs. Later, her art started to use lighter colors and more decorative styles.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Cathy de Monchaux has received awards for her art. She won a Steinberger Group Award in 1988. The next year, in 1989, she received the London Arts Individual Artist's Award.

In 1997, she had a special exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. Her works there often looked like natural forms, such as shells or fossils. They also showed animals and decorative designs from the past.

In 1998, Cathy de Monchaux was nominated for the Turner Prize. This is a very important award for British artists. She has shown her art in the United States almost as much as in England.

Recent Artworks

Cathy de Monchaux continues to create new art. As of 2025, she lives in London. She also teaches art part-time at the Slade School of Art.

In her more recent works, like The Raft (2016) and State Secrets (2014), she has explored new themes. These include battles, unicorns, and images that blend animals, minerals, and plants.

Sweetly the Air Flew Overhead, Battle with Unicorns

One of her notable recent works is Sweetly the Air Flew Overhead, Battle with Unicorns (2007-2008). This sculpture features small, soft figures of riders on unicorns. These figures are tangled in string, cloth, and shapes that look like trees.

This artwork reminds some people of the famous paintings by Paolo Uccello. His "Battle of San Romano" series shows clear images of horses, lances, and knights. Uccello's paintings celebrate human control and order. In contrast, de Monchaux's work shows a battle where knights with spiky helmets ride unicorns. They struggle in a messy, chaotic scene. This suggests that being in a battle can feel like being in a big mess.

Cathy de Monchaux has mentioned that this artwork might unconsciously refer to the Iraq War.