Cathy de Monchaux facts for kids

Cathy de Monchaux (born in 1960) is a talented British sculptor. She is known for creating unique artworks using a mix of different materials. Her sculptures often explore interesting ideas by putting opposite things together.

About Cathy de Monchaux

Early Life and Education

Cathy de Monchaux was born in London, England. She studied art at two important schools. From 1980 to 1983, she earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), at the Camberwell School of Art. Later, from 1985 to 1987, she completed her Master of Arts (MA) at Goldsmiths College, which is part of the University of London. These studies helped her develop her unique artistic style.

Artistic Style and Career Highlights

Cathy de Monchaux creates sculptures using many different materials. These include glass, paper, metal, soft fur, and strong leather. Her early works in the 1990s often featured a striking combination of red velvet and steel. These pieces were usually simple yet powerful in their design.

Over time, her art began to change. Her later sculptures often use lighter colors and have more detailed, decorative designs.

Cathy de Monchaux has received several 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. These awards helped recognize her growing talent.

In 1998, Cathy de Monchaux was nominated for the Turner Prize. This is a very famous award given to a British artist each year. Being nominated for the Turner Prize is a big honor in the art world.

She has shown her art in many places. Interestingly, she has exhibited her work in the United States almost as much as, or even more than, she has in England. This shows her art is appreciated by people around the world. Today, she lives in London and also teaches art part-time at the Slade School of Art.

Recent Artworks

In her more recent sculptures, Cathy de Monchaux has explored new themes. For example, in works like The Raft (2016) and State Secrets (2014), she has focused on subjects such as battles and unicorns. She also creates images that mix animals, minerals, and plants in confusing ways.

One of her notable recent works is Sweetly the Air Flew Overhead, Battle with Unicorns (2007-8). This artwork features small, soft sculptures of riders on unicorns. These figures are tangled in string, cloth, and shapes that look like trees.

This piece reminds some people of the famous "Battle of San Romano" paintings by Uccello. Uccello's paintings show clear horses, lances, and knights, celebrating human control. In contrast, de Monchaux's work shows a battle where knights with spiky helmets ride unicorns struggling in a messy tangle of things. It suggests that being in a battle feels like being inside a big mess.

Cathy de Monchaux has mentioned that this artwork unconsciously reminded her of the Iraq War.