kate palese

I was born in 2.17 in the San Fernando Valley. I attended school all over the southern United States, finally settling in San Diego, California. I attended San Diego State University first as a Political Science major, and then English and finally Visual Art, graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor’s in Art with an emphasis in Sculpture and getting my Master’s degree in 1986 in Sculpture.

My major art influences have been several narrative artists such as the contemporary painter Ida Applebroog and the photographer Duane Michaels. I believe the biggest influence on my art has been the culture of Mexico. As a child I didn’t attend museums, but my mother imported Mexican folk art and valued it highly. My experience of ornate Catholic churches both in the U.S. and in Mexico were formative.

In 1987 I came to American Samoa to teach at the American Samoa Community College. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the island and of the people of Samoa. My work changed substantially, reflecting the beautiful colors of Samoa. Samoa formed my outlook much more than any place I have lived. Those images and feelings have stayed with me through the 15 years I have been off island.

My current work makes visual various struggles about abandonment. I enjoy juxtapositioning images that make unusual connections, both visual and personal.