Kate Gilmore

+ Marilyn Minter

Q+A: Kate Gilmore

How has the artist you chose influenced or inspired you?
And in turn how have you influenced those around you?
I have been lucky enough to have lots of "mentors" in my life—usually women who have taken me under their wing to teach me the way of the world.

I have chosen Marilyn Minter for this exhibition as she has always reminded me of the queen bee, the badass mama bear, the force. She is someone who, with all her success and busy schedules, is one of the most generous people I have ever met. She is always willing to help, advise, and tell it like it is. She has taught me to be bold, honest and to never, EVER relax.

I hope to have influenced others in the same way Marilyn has influenced so many. I don't know if I have seen this yet, but I have lots of models in my life and I hope to represent that to other artists as well.

What does feminism mean to you? Does it influence your practice or the way you position your work?
Feminism is a state of being. If you are a woman, alive in the world, functioning in society, participating—you are a part of this conversation and reality. Period.

As a woman artist, this reality is definitely a large part of my work. That said, I would hope that many people, backgrounds, classes, sexes, etc. have access to the work and can read their own histories and realities into it.